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Catching Up With Kathy Goldie – The Post-Oliver! Interview
Director Kathy Goldie gets Bill Sikes (Hana) ready
for stage
Lafayette, California (May 10, 2006) - No one was
more happily surprised by the success of Oliver! than its director,
Kathy Goldie. Not only was the recent production, which culminated
in
two May performances, the first theatrical production of any kind
for the
Contra Costa Jewish Day School (CCJDS), it was the first time many
of the cast of 70
students had ever been on stage. Some had never even seen a musical
before, much
less been in one.
“I was more than pleased,” said Goldie with a happy
laugh. “The kids
showed me things in performance that I had not seen during rehearsals.
They
amazed me.”
Goldie, who became CCJDS’ first drama teacher this year, modestly
credits being able to be on staff as key to the children’s
professionalism on stage.
“We were fortunate to have two months to prepare. The kids
really got
to understand their characters,” she explained.
Of course, this all might have something to do with their teacher.
Goldie holds a degree in voice from Cal State East Bay (formerly
Cal State Hayward)
and has performed with San Francisco and Berkeley professional theatrical
productions.
But she also has a background in early childhood education and has
considerable experience teaching drama at Bay Area schools.
Her method is based on the concept of reacting instead of merely
acting. “Acting is really just reciting a bunch of words.
Reacting to another character
in a scene is what makes it real. You have to connect with your
acting partner; it
is not just all about you.”
Is this a life lesson? Absolutely. Goldie believes that children’s
involvement with theater teaches them real life skills and builds
confidence.
“We really help our children grow through drama,” she
said.
She sums up her philosophy with the statement: “It’s
not about the end
product. It’s about the process. I want the process of putting
on a production
to be a positive experience for the kids that helps them grow as
individuals.”
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