Moore Middle School offers everyone a chance to Live a Little this month . Live a Little is a musical comedy by Tim Kelly (music by Arne Christianson and lyrics by Ole Kittleson), that features a neurotic rock star, unscrupulous manager, and runaway back-up singers running from L.A. to the fictional Ozark town of Mulekick. Presented at Moore Middle School on November 18 & 19 at 7:00 p.m., it is full of music, dance, and fun.

With a focus on involvement and Director Shelly Greenwood's philosophy "that every student who wants to take the risk to audition for the show should be in the show," the cast and crew of 60 work together as a team. Shelly says that one of the positives of theatre is that "the students learn how to work effectively in a group because it's no longer about the individual, but about the group as a whole." With lines to memorize, sets to build, staging to remember, dances to learn and songs to be sung, it is a team effort--a Moore Middle School effort. Not only are there actors, but also backstage crews and technical crews. Sets are designed and built by Margaret Abramshe's Advanced Art class, and choir director Matthew Vagts works with the cast on all of the music for the show. And, since every good musical needs some dancing, Robin Gayton, of Gayton Dance Studio, comes in and teaches the cast some fancy choreography. Quoting the old adage, Shelly believes that "there is no I in team" is just as applicable to theatre as it is to sports.

The students involved in Live a Little, and other shows at Moore, have to develop time management skills as they balance almost daily rehearsals with their school work and other activities. Each participant is required to be passing all of their classes. Shelly makes it clear to her cast and crew that "their job is to learn and if they're unable to fulfill their job requirements they should not be spending their time on extracurricular activity." Homework and classes still come first.

Theatre, according to Shelly, is not just about performing, but about what the students learn from performing. She wants to see the students become more comfortable and confident any time that they have to get up in front of an audience--including class presentations. "It's an important life skill that they will be able to use long after they leave my classroom." There are many former students who come back to visit "Greenie", as she is affectionately called, and let her know how grateful they are for the opportunity she gave them to perform. "We have a strong arts program here at Moore and many of our students go on to the PAH (Pomona Arts and Humanities) program at Pomona high school and some have continued in theatre in college and beyond." Whether they stay in theatre or not, Shelly wants her students to "find their passion and follow their dreams." And to think, that for her current students, it can start with a show called Live a Little.

Live a Little

MooreMiddle School

8455 W. 88th Avenue

7:00 p.m.

Tickets sold at the door:

$5.00 adults

$4.00 students (k-12) & seniors (60+)