<bt>Each year, the Providence Elementary School music department, led by Stacy Kay and Christine Corbeil, produce a musical play with all of the fourth grade students. This year, in keeping with the science focus of Providence, they presented "Star Search."
The setting, our galaxy and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, was the backdrop to a story where our solar system spins into a frenzy when the Sun, suffering from "burn-out", decides to take a vacation at "Planet Hollywood of the Stars." Finding themselves in complete darkness, the planets lose their orbits and spin into each other. After getting acquainted, they join forces to search for their missing Sun. The Moons trail close behind in search of their traveling planets, additional Stars, Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, dancers, rappers, and a two-part chorus created this "all-star" cast of characters.
Auditions took place for the main roles and classes worked on rehearsals during music class for half of the second quarter and part of the third quarter of the school year.
The music teachers made the costumes and props, and students were asked to bring flashlights to represent the different meteors and constellations. All students worked to memorize their lines and songs. This innovative approach to integrating curriculum with the fine arts program had the Providence fourth graders excited about learning. They were able to better understand the solar system concepts as they worked to entertain and educate the student body. Their hard work, along with the support of their teachers and parents paid off, as the musical was a huge success, receiving rave reviews by all.