She’d always been theatrical in some way. Initially a self-proclaimed drama mom (as opposed to a soccer mom), Robyn Metchik started staging productions for her kids’ classes, but she became a drama teacher by demand. Under her direction, the Nipomo High School Drama program was selected over 3,000 other schools to perform at the Fringe Festival in Scotland in August 2011.Īnd she never set out to be a drama teacher. She’s watched numerous students graduate and continue on to successful careers in theater and film. She brought the first San Luis Obispo County production of Les Miserables-Student Edition to the Clark Center. Metchik has directed or produced shows such as Grease, Bye Bye Birdie, The Diary of Anne Frank, Fiddler on the Roof, Pirates of Penzance, Macbeth, Sweet Charity, Aida, and many others. But students and parent volunteers alike are more than happy to make sure to attend to every detail. Last-minute details are a part of every show. Robyn Metchik has a supportive group of parents and volunteers that she credits with helping her get so much done. When she’s not working, you’ll find her practicing yoga, spilling coffee at school drop off, meeting friends for sushi, or sailing the Bay with her family and English Bulldog, Moshi.Curtain call A beloved Nipomo drama teacher is set to retire as friends and supporters celebrate her careerĭ uring the Take A Bow-A Tribute to Robyn Metchik’s Retirement event at the Clark Center, the drama teacher at the heart of it all will have plenty to reflect on. Christine loves hanging out with her husband, Ian, and their two spirited daughters, Holland and Marley, who attend Village Elementary and Coronado Middle School. In addition, she writes a monthly page for Crown City Magazine. She worked as a public relations professional, a book editor, real estate professional, and a freelance writer before eventually succumbing to motherhood in 2008.A decade later, Christine resurfaced to start the Island Girl Blog, a Coronado lifestyle blog. A graduate of UCSD, Christine got her first writing job on the KUSI ten o’clock news while simultaneously juggling a reporter position at the San Diego Community News Group. Although initially horrified by surfers, flannels and skateboards, she ultimately grew to love all things So-Cal. “To finally get to see my kids and get them interacting and singing, I don’t take it for granted anymore.”Ĭommunity members are encouraged to buy their tickets at this link before the show sells out.Ĭhristine was born and raised in Texas, but moved to Coronado with her family as a teen in 1993. “This performance means the world to me after being stifled for almost two years,” said Kullmann. But Kullman says the performers are up for the challenge. The production of Schoolhouse Rock will be performed in masks, which requires the actors to be more expressive with their gestures and facial expressions. “We can finally show what we have accomplished on the stage.” “It’s going to feel special to be on stage again, after working so hard with our cast members and directors,” says Van Tuyl. Marley Van Tuyl, who performs in the finale “Interjection,” says that it will be rewarding to be in front of a live audience again. “I’ll be in the wings, like a proud parent, watching the kids do something amazing.” “No matter what their nerves are, they’re going to get channeled into the performance itself,” says Kullmann. She says the rehearsal process helps the kids get familiar with what they’re doing on stage, and helps them feel very natural in front of an audience. But once you remember what it is, it’s easy to improve and make it better.” “Remembering the blocking is hard,” said Delaney Lord, who sings the solo “Unpack Your Adjectives.” “It takes a while to get it down.
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One performer noted the challenging staging, but shared that practice makes perfect. Some of the students say they are nervous: the musical involves props, technical numbers and lots of choreography. “ Schoolhouse Rock is a great production because so many people get a chance to perform a solo, and it’s just a lot of fun.”
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Grace Dabbieri, who performs the solo “Interplanet Janet,” says she is excited to be able to perform live again. “I love that in this musical, every solo is someone different, it gives more opportunity to have more kids have their time to be on stage and singing.” “What I like is that all of these students are so different in personalities, and they come together with all of their talents and likes and dislikes to produce something special,” said Linda Kullmann, Performing Arts and Choir Educator.