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Kincaid Elementary School's annual musical production for 2012 strayed from the norm. Music teacher Pete Bush wasn't satisifed with the usual choices.
“The plays we have to choose from each year are very expensive to produce due to fees paid to the copyright owners,” said Bush. “Many of these plays are also either too young or too old for the students who perform in them. That’s why last year, I decided to write something original and more towards what’s going on in the world today.”
The Grim Twins, a play originally written and scored by Bush, Kincaid technology teach Marchelle Studstill and local composer and musician Jim Chabucos, was born.
Bush, a professionally trained actor and performer hailing from New Jersey, has been a Northeast Cobb resident for eight years and the music teacher at Kincaid for the past seven. His inspiration for The Grim Twins was to challenge himself and his students to create something new and different that would not only be of benefit to Kincaid, but the community as well.
"The play is a modern American fable set to rock music with shades of Tim Burton meets Harry Potter thrown in,” he said.
Set in Salem, MA, the storyline follows the tale of two twin siblings who are sent to an exclusive private school after the mysterious death of their parents. The twins, who possess supernatural powers, soon become the subjects of the other students disdain.
Ignoring the negativity of the situation, the twins decide to invite all the other students to their birthday party, which causes those attending to “turn the other cheek." All except for one, however.
Not wanting to be too “preachy” about the underlying message of the play, Bush said that the main focus is the importance of “finding your own voice and knowing what you stand for.”
Bush credits volunteers who helped create the sets and costumes, as well as local high school students who worked with the kids on their singing and dancing parts.
Along with the dedication of Studstill and Chabucos, Bush places much of the musical's success with the students involved with its production. “The Honor Chorus students really put their own breath of life into the words and message, as well as dedicating vast amounts of time in rehearsals.”
Bush and the students of the Honor Chorus have completed a CD compilation of the songs sung in the musical. Licensing of The Grim Twins is also in the works, which will make it available for use by other schools.
Nissa Summerlin
11:27 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
The grim twins has done so much for the students at Kincaid. It has given the chorus kids a challenging and age appropriate show, and after working with them from their early rehearsals through their last show I have seen each child grow so much in their maturity and responsibility and in many other aspects as well.
However, I believe Grim Twins would be merely words on a page without the dedication and commitment of Mr.Bush and the wonderful assistant directors, parent volunteers, an the support of the community. Their efforts took these kids on the theatrical journey of a life time, and brought them together in a way I've never seen before. Their work (both the actors and the adults) is truly incredible and I hope this program will continue for many years to come!
Fallon Lewis
7:34 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Hi, we are looking for two sitters possible to travel with 3 families to Sea Side Florida for a beach vacation. We've rented a beach house directly on the beach. We have already paid for a room for you and hopefully the second sitter would be a friend/sister so the two of you are comfortable sharing a room. We will cover your food costs while there and pay for your gas expenses also. We are thinking $300 per sitter for helping out with the kiddos. Total combined, we will have 6 boys aged 2-7 and 1 baby girl, 5 months old. We really need help with pool and beach trips. Dinner time, bath time, bed time and definitely with nap times as the 2, 3 and 5 month old still need their naps. We are going June 29th - July 6th. We are a fun family with a fun group of boys, plus the little princess. We just need a few helping hands. Please let me know if you are interested or may know of anyone else that fits the role. Thank you for your time and consideration in helping us out. My cell number is 706-202-6141 if it's better to call or text me. Or you can email me at fallon.barton@gmail.com
Marchelle Studstill
7:41 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
I feel so lucky to have been a part of this project. The students have learned so much through this process. Not only have they been able to perform in the musical but they have gotten to learn how a musical is created from the ground up.
Working in the Computer Lab with the students, I have seen some of them trying to write their own lyrics or create their own scripts during their free time. It has been wonderful to see the creativity that this production has sparked.
I really enjoy watching the younger students pretend to be characters from the musical and play out scenes while on the playground. They really understood the message of standing up for who you really are. I am not sure that Mr. Bush truly recognizes the impact that his "little story" has had on our community. I'm so glad that this is only the beginning and that the Grim Twins will make another appearance when the story continues......