Artist-in-residence leads Sorensen students in all-school performance

COEUR d'ALENE — The vibe was electric in the packed gymnasium Friday as confetti sparkled over students' heads and floated to the stage at the close of “A Million Dreams."

The 10-minute all-school performance was attended by proud parents, grandparents, siblings and friends who beamed as Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities students sang the last notes. From the musical film about entertainment pioneer P.T. Barnum, "The Greatest Showman," the Sorensen performance of "A Million Dreams" was orchestrated in a dazzling display of costumes, makeup, glitter, sequins and lights with an abundance of song, motion and choreography.

"It was really fun and I'm glad I did it," fourth grader Keira Silkman said after the performance.  

Keira is the second child in her family to be a Sorensen student. Her dad, Brandon Silkman, said the school has really helped his kids to shine.

"They were a little more reserved before coming here in the environments they were in at the old schools," he said. "They just come here and flourish and it makes us so happy."

The "Million Dreams" show was directed by artist-in-residence Shoshana Rubli, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's director of education. Rubli has performed onstage since age 6, with an expansive resume ranging from jazz, tap, ballet, voice and musical theater to teaching, writing, directing and recording.

She spent the past two weeks working with students, going over every aspect of the performance to prepare them for the big day. 

Every student had a part, and most were decked out in unique costume and imaginative makeup designs, including top hats, temporary tattoos, fake beards, wild wigs, feather boas, lion suits, rabbit ears, capes, tails, wings, masks and light-up glasses.

"After everything, I just feel incredibly proud of every student and all staff," Rubli said. "It went by way too fast. I will never, ever forget this experience."

Principal Brett DePew participated in the performance, dressed in the signature ringmaster red coat, top hat and mustache.

"This was put together in two weeks, which is a very short period of time to put (together) something of this level, of this caliber," he said.

He gave a shout-out to Sorensen staff members.

"We worked really hard this fall putting together our classroom communities where every single one of our 314 kids feels that they have a special place to come to every day at Sorensen," he said. "Adding a program like this adds a lot of excitement but can also add challenge for us, so I just want to recognize our Sorensen staff for being willing to go through this. This was a wonderful experience, but it's challenging, so hats off to our Sorensen staff."

He also recognized Rubli and Sorensen arts director Anne Mitchell for helping to make the magic happen. Both received bouquets of roses.

"These two were the instigators of this, as we call it, 'organized chaos,'" DePew said.

Another artist-in-residence program will be held at Sorensen later in the school year.

    Sorensen Magnet School students Rebel Larson, left, and Oliver Willoughby, panda, share a laugh Friday before the all-school performance of "A Million Dreams" begins.
  

    Fourth and fifth grade Sorensen students rehearse earlier in the week for Friday's performance of "A Million Dreams."
  

    First grader Arielle Aragon has the mic Friday as Sorensen Magnet School students perform an all-school rendition of "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman."
  

    Principal Brett DePew, dressed as P.T. Barnum, is spotted above the audience Friday as he sings the introduction to "A Million Dreams" before the all-school performance Friday at Sorensen Magnet School.