NT_051619

northbrooktower.com Life & arts
the northbrook tower | May 16, 2019 | 31
D28 teachers craft musical from scratch
Alexa Burnell
Freelance Reporter
Northbrook School District
28 fifth-grade students
learned the many
life lessons that come
with being on the stage
during their annual musical
production “Going to
America,” written, produced
and directed by art
teacher Jeremy Blair and
music teacher Jeremy
Bartunek.
Although the production
ran earlier this month,
the idea was conceived
nearly two years ago
when Bartunek and Blair
decided a home-grown
production would result
in a most-powerful educational
experience for the
students.
“What I love about District
28 is the focus on developing
the whole child,”
Blair said. “With that concept
in mind, we looked at
the performance as a way
to teach the students how
art, math, literacy, engineering
and other subjects
all overlap, resulting in
a full-fledged production
that the students can
proudly say they helped
create.”
Over the past several
years, these two
teachers spent countless
hours — in and outside
of school —writing the
script, writing songs, cutting
soundtracks, choreographing
dances, casting
the production and so
much more. In the end,
the product was even
more than they could have
imagined because of the
78 students who committed
themselves to the
process.
“I cannot tell you how
incredibly satisfying it
is to see our idea evolve
into a full production with
lighting, sound, music and
a thoughtful plot,” Bartunek
said. “Now, watching
the students share in
our sense of satisfaction
makes it all that much better;
we relied on them just
as they relied on us.
“For example, there
was a point when we realized
we were short a few
lines in one of the songs,
so several kids jumped
in and wrote the lyrics.
Those with math expertise,
helped us map out
stage placements; four
girls manned the entire
sound board alone. This
production was a true
collaborative effort.”
Along with learning the
ins and outs of a production,
young performers
learned valuable lessons
from the storyline as well.
“Going to America” details
the trials and tribulations
that many families
face, while leaving their
homelands for better
opportunities.
Ethan McClure played
Johnny, a character who
traveled from Ireland with
his pregnant wife, unsure
of what his future would
hold. The theme was
one that resonated with
McClure.
“I really appreciated
Johnny because I could
understand how he felt,”
he said. “Not long ago,
I moved from Atlanta
for many reasons; one of
them to have a better public
school opportunity. At
first, I was scared to start
over. But now, I’m so happy
to be here. I have new
friends and a great school.
Just like Johnny, I had to
be brave, stay focused on
the positive and not let fear
get in my way.”
Similarly, Michael
Eichstadt, who also played
Johnny, said his character
and the storyline taught
him about perseverance.
“I learned that in order
to achieve happiness, you
must just keep going and
don’t let the little things
stop you from going after
your dreams,” he said.
“Johnny was scared, but
he didn’t let him stop him.
He had to care for his family
and keep going after
Molly McAnally (left), and Emily Rogers perform during
“Going to America,” a production created completely
by District 28 educators Jeremy Blair and Jeremy
Bartunek. Alexa Burnell/22nd Century Media
what he wanted. Johnny
never gave up. ”
Ella Marks, who played
Fiona, Johnny’s wife,
learned the real challenges
an immigrant faces when
coming to a new country.
“Fiona tried to put on
a brave face, but she was
scared. She was pregnant,
leaving her family, coming
to a new land and not
knowing anyone,” Marks
said. “I realized how scary
it must be for someone in
that position. This story
taught me that life is not always
easy, but if you keep
trying, you can achieve
your dreams; never let fear
stand in your way.”
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