"Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr." Assistant Director
Being an assistant director is kind of like being Anne Hathaway in the Devil Wears Prada, minus the evil boss. Like with any job, you start at the bottom and work your way up. When I first started out as an A.D. my job was passing out papers, taking notes for the director and helping in any other way that I could.
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| Vincent teaches a dance to the "Milie. Jr." cast. |
As the shows have gone on I have been given more and more responsibility and have loved it all. In Thoroughly Modern Millie Junior, I have performed my normal duties of passing out papers, helping to keep the kids calm and quiet, helping with music and filling in as understudy whenever necessary. In addition, I have had the wonderful opportunity to teach a musical number and choreograph both of the “Chinese” numbers. When asked if I’d be interested in coming up with some quick choreography for “Not for the Life of Me (Chinese Brother’s Reprise)” I immediately jumped at the opportunity. Playing the role of Ching Ho in the teen production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, I have become, in a sense, the Chinese expert. I looked at this song, and later with the song Muqin, as comical songs that parodied the rest of the show. With that in mind, I choreographed them as parodies of other numbers in the show including the Charleston, box steps and even some Millie like poses scattered here and there.
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| Vincent as the Baker in Spotlight's 2010 production of "Into the Woods" |
This show has taught me so much about the amount of work and effort the staff puts into a show outside of rehearsal. A choreographer must know what dance moves go where and when before it is taught to the cast; a musical director has to know the accompaniment and notes the cast sings before they learn them; and a director has to know the blocking and where the show is going before the cast does. I’m so glad to be a part of this show and I can’t wait for something I’ve helped create to come to life on stage. Thanks Spotlight for the great opportunities!
