St. Luke Lutheran teacher writes school musical
CABOT — This spring students in grades one through six at St. Luke Lutheran School in Cabot learned one approach to life by performing a musical written by their music teacher, Diane Beckstead.
Beckstead of Clinton Township has been writing music for 20 years. She has a master's degree in music education and teaches music and piano at St. Luke's, as well as teaching from her home and being a church musician.
“I couldn't find good quality musicals to do for this age group,” said Beckstead. “I really look for musicals that have some heart and meaning.”
This is the fourth musical she has written for the school.
She remembered a story that she read to her children, “Good Times on Grandfather Mountain” by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. Beckstead's play is based on that book and carries the same name.
The book's author, who lives in Iowa, and Beckstead communicated by e-mail. Martin was supportive immediately.
Martin said, “It was so much fun to hear from her. It's nice to know that people are still reading and responding to the book after 21 years.”
The story was inspired by two people. One was Martin's father, who was a man who didn't complain. The other was a whittler who would use secondhand wood when he ran out of money.
Martin said, “I love the notion (of) taking something that other people would see as junk and turning it into something beautiful.”
In the story, a man named Old Washburn is a whittler who encounters misfortune after misfortune. However, he turns it into something good, even when his cabin blows away in a storm. With his own ingenuity and the love of his friends and neighbors, he rebuilds his life and home.
Old Washburn's attitude is that “this too shall pass.” Beckstead encouraged students to remember to have hope.Beckstead looks for musicals that can accommodate 100 cast members.“That's the challenge,” said Beckstead. “To have a show that is good for first grade and also sixth grade. That's another reason why I write them.”Beckstead wrote the musical, which was peformed May 1, with its 12 songs during a few months.The sixth-graders had the lead roles. Scott Shearer, a school parent with stage experience, played an old man because Beckstead thought a sixth-grader with a beard would not be convincing.Beckstead included more parts for more students. For example, girls with dance training had solo dances. First-graders were chickens and climbed out of a coop to dance.“Third-graders were raccoons and had a little jazz number to do,” said Beckstead. “Fourth-graders were hobos for 'The Travelin' Itch.' It's a bluegrass number. The fifth grade rebuilt a cabin in 32 beats with time to spare.”The musical also incorporated children playing recorders and rhythm instruments.“My goal is for students to learn,” said Beckstead. “Every year I ask more of them, and they never disappoint me. The kids get so much out of these stories.”Many others helped Beckstead bring the story to life. For example, musician friends play a variety of instruments including banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica, jug and spoons. They recorded the musical's accompaniment in a studio.
Wynne Jenkins of Saxonburg has worked with the Butler Little Theatre, Butler Musical Theater Guild, Shady Side Academy, Knoch High School and the Kean Theater. She did not need persuading to collaborate.“I created the costumes,” said Jenkins. “I made 16 dresses and a cow and a pig.”“We kind of read each other's minds,” said Jenkins. “I know what she's working toward. She's a wonderful and extremely talented individual. My goal is to make their time enjoyable and give back to a positive influence.”Beckstead said her next step is to publish one of her musicals.“I think a lot of schools would love doing it,” said Martin. “It has so many ways for kids to be involved.”Fifth-grader Dori Shearer of Cabot has been in theater productions since she was 6.“I really liked it. It's one of my favorite musicals that we've done at St. Luke's,” said Dori.“The whole message is telling kids how to deal with hardship. That's why I wrote it,” said Beckstead. “That's what I mean about looking for stories that have meaning and heart. That's our faith. We have hope.”—–—<B><I>Excerpts of “Good Times on Grandfather Mountain” soon will be on YouTube with portions of Beckstead's other musicals.</I></B>
