I have never scheduled my students to do a show the same week we come back from vacation.  This year, however, Greater Portland Christian School wanted us to do a chapel for their middle school on January 3rd: the second day back from Christmas vacation.  I was apprehensive, even with working in an extra rehearsal on the 2nd.  When all was said and done, I needen't have worried.  They nailed it!

It is not uncommon when we do shows for other teens for the audience to have an attitude of "We're too cool for this", and the GPCS kids certainly met that expectation at first.  A few were with us from the start, but as a group, they were not won over until Mary made a 12" cadle disappear, and a new one appear to replace it.  At that point we had won them over.

Our group juggling routine showed the benefits of a lot of hard practice.  Eva performed two balls and a machete, Jasmine was perfect with her diabolo tricks, Faith's diabolo high throw wowed everyone, and Avery was masterful with a sickle, machete and axe.  In addition, the audience participation juggling was outstanding.  Liam, in particular, 'bonded' with a GPCS student as they passed the balls back and forth flawlessly.  

Although we started slow, by the time we go to "I Want to Know What Love Is" and "Beautiful, Scandalous Night" they were fully drawn in, and some were clearly moved by the message.  After the show, the two groups of kids got to interact together, even talking about our recent meeting on the basketball court (we won).

LOL did so well on our second day back from a week off, I've scheduled one for our second day back from February break!