09/21/2017
"I will stay until the wind changes" Ms. Gorham Says Goodbye To BMT.
Dear Theatre Families:
I first caught the theatre bug in 8th grade when I played a singing purple
pansy in Bancroft’s production of “Alice In Wonderland”. I was a shy, gangly and curly headed little girl who was often lost in a world of books and music, but found a home and a sense of belonging in the drama club. I met my life long best friend Kathleen (BMT’s makeup artist), gained confidence and learned a lot about myself. It was a defining time in my life; where some of my best childhood memories and friendships were made and where my passion for theatre began.
Sherri Shepard once said “Run towards your fear, because on the other side it’s beautiful” and that quote became our program and classroom mantra. We started and ended, most rehearsals and every single opening and closing of a show with that quote; and if I do not practice what I preach I would be a hypocrite. It has become apparent to me, in many ways, that my time with BMT was coming to a close and over the last several years I began to accept it and be more comfortable with such a big change to my life. I promised myself that if I was offered a different opportunity I would take it. I would finally, for the first time in my life, put myself first. I accepted a position with the Jewish Community Center of the East Bay as the Director of Programming for enrichment programs in August and will not be returning to the Bancroft Musical Theatre Program this fall.
This is a bittersweet moment for me. It’s the start of a new beginning and the ending of something that has profoundly affected my life. The program and our students helped define me as an educator and has beautifully enriched my life for over 16 years. It has been an honor to serve the San Leandro community and to teach your children about the magical world of theatre.
I am going to deeply miss the sounds of tap shoes coming down the hallway towards our classroom, the little giggles of students attempting to prank me, all the “take it from the tops” , “roll’ems” and “ONE MORE TIMES”, all the hugs and happy tears, notes of appreciation, endearing talks, watching the discovering of a student having learned a new technique, but mostly I will miss the collaborative learning process with our students- for it was in our classroom where the real magic happened. Our classroom was where we learned about one another, formed an incredible bond and built lasting relationships and became our theatre family. I have no regrets in dedicating the last 16 years of my professional life to a program that I grew up in, but I am looking forward to my next chapter.
I would like to thank the amazing admin team at Bancroft for their unwavering support, laughs and collaborative problem solving. Thank you to the all the parents that spent endless hours of their time sewing costumes, painting scenery and hauling sets. Mostly I want to thank my students. You inspired me every day. You made me strive to become a better person and better educator. You are my greatest piece of work and my most favorite musical to direct-I love you all dearly and will miss you with my whole heart. You have been one of the greatest gifts of my life and I am grateful for each and everyone of you. Thank you for being apart of my life’s journey. Thank you for trusting me to be your teacher.
This is not goodbye. It’s the beginning of a new adventure. I will be around. Keep in touch with me via email, social media or text. I want to know what you are doing and keep up with all the art you are impacting the world with.
I will be at school on Saturday, September 23 in room G7 from 10AM-1PM. Please, please drop in and say hello. I would love to see you. And remember to always “Run towards your fear, because on the other side its beautiful.”
All my best and more,
Andrea M. Gorham
