When our first jazz musical When Malindy Swings was over a teacher who I had never even spoken to in ten years of working in the same school approached me. It had been several days since the final show wrapped. Eli and I were thinking about what we had just accomplished. We knew we had something spectacular, not only in the show itself but in the whole system of teaching that went into it. It was a uniquely inspiring feeling creating something that utilized all of our years of experience working with this age children. The show was written with their sensibilities in mind and we collaborated with incredible professionals including Eli’s mentor Walter Perkins. This teacher came up to me with a wrapped package and handed it to me and said in the softest voice, “Thank you.” I opened it up. Inside was a custom made plaque with congratulations engraved on it. She smiled a shy smile and walked away.
By Clifford Carlson
