As the new year begins and 2025 is in full swing, we as a society discuss the “in’s and out’s” of the new year. In a way, for the drama department here at Pines Charter, that way of thinking is extremely important for their shows. Since 2009 when Winter Fantasy first began, there have been a multitude of changes that the show had to go through. The ins and outs of Winter Fantasy continuously get tweaked as the years go by.
So, after the success of the 2024 Winter Fantasy, let’s dive deeper into the history of changes that the show had to go through to reach where it is today. Jessica Sanford, teacher and head of the drama department, has been involved in this show since the very first year it was executed. As a charter alumna, the deeper meaning of Winter Fantasy plays a very important role in her love for drama and passion of teaching.
Ms. Kidd, who came into Charter to teach drama in the years 2008-2009 made sure that there was an opportunity for the arts to be appreciated and heard. With this, she came in full steam ahead and created the concept of Winter Fantasy.
As Sanford looks back at the arrival of the show from a student perspective, she recognizes that it was not as appreciated as it is now.
“The first year of Winter Fantasy, I don’t know that everybody knew exactly what it was,” comments Ms. Sanford as she reflects on the past. “Whereas now, Winter Fantasy is sort of like the school-wide talent show, so everybody tries to get a seat if they can.”
Coming from a student view where Ms. Sanford once felt the pressure and anxiety of being a performer, she understood that it is important to promote the event well. Not only to create good funding for the department, but to allow the students to feel recognized for their work.
However, something that Ms. Sanford has now brought to attention is that she believes in the important change of performers needing to ‘earn’ their spots. For the past years, it has always been that if you have any part in the fine arts, you are allowed to perform in Winter Fantasy.
The new ‘in’ would be for performers to really prove their passion and love for the art they work with. Whether that may require an audition or recommendation, it allows for the show to be dealt with more compassion and depth by the students and audience.
With this, Sanford feels it will “…be more organized and then it’s something you sort of work towards and earn instead of just something that’s a midterm.”
One of the more fascinating and eye opening changes made throughout the year was the involvement of the dance department. For a long time, dancers were not associated with Winter Fantasy. This is seen as something that not only brings energy to the show as a whole, but character.
Junior Amariah Ayum is an active member of the dance team here at Charter. She has been performing in Winter Fantasy alongside her team since freshman year. As someone who has immersed herself in the arts for so long, she was stunned when told the news of there not even being a dance in the show.
“That’s kind of crazy… How was there even a winter fantasy without dance? I feel like dance is a huge part of the show now and I feel like it definitely makes it more exciting and entertaining.” comments Ayum when asked about her thoughts on the change.
Years fly by faster and faster and some things tend to be left behind. While Winter Fantasy has made changes to its show and what it hopes to fulfill each execution, there’s one thing that stays the same. The love and passion that each performer and crew person has for the arts and that is something that sticks for a lifetime.
