Aidan's 2023 Spring Musical: A Letter from Musical Director Nichole Savage

We are only a few months away from Aidan's Spring Musical! We are delighted to share a note from our Musical Director, Nichole Savage, and wanted to bring your attention to a few important updates to this year’s event so that families may plan accordingly. 

New Date: The Musical will take place at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 14. 

New Location: This year’s performance will take place at UDC’s Theater of the Arts on their main Van Ness campus.

The entire Aidan community is welcome and warmly invited to attend this year’s event. The Musical is free to attend, so we encourage you to save the date and join us in April! We will share additional details as we get closer to the show date.

And now, a few words from our talented director…

Dear Aidan Families,

My name is Nichole Savage and I am returning as the Director for Aidan’s Spring Musical this year! I am thrilled to continue working with your students and am already amazed at the work they are putting into the show. We are so excited for Aidan’s Elementary production of “The Lion King.”

A little bit about me: I am a Music Educator in the DMV area with Tolbert Music LLC. I earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Virginia Commonwealth University and have worked as the musical director for camps such as MSNV's Summer Theatre Intensive and Out of the Box Theatre Company. I also served for six years as the Director of Music for Central United Methodist Church, directing both adult and youth choirs. I come from a musical family and have been involved in musicals since I was old enough to walk and can-can. 

This year is a little different from last year, as I have already been teaching music and drama in the classrooms all year! Having a rapport with your students is a priceless asset as we move forward with musical rehearsals. Also different, we held “auditions” for the Upper Elementary students and incorporated their preferences as much as possible in casting. Our first and second year Lower Elementary students were given options as to which animal they would like to portray—Elephants, Giraffes, White Storks, Cheetahs, Gazelles, or Zebras. Our third-year students are delighted to be the Hyenas and have been practicing their maniacal laughs and menacing stares. 

The motto for this year is “Hakuna Matata”—it means no worries! We will be focusing on the process over the product at all times. I want the students to be involved in as much of the planning and creation as possible and with more preparation time than last year, I can’t wait to see what they create! 

Another change that was necessary was moving the musical date up as I am also preparing for a new role—motherhood! I am due in May and Aidan has been wonderfully accommodating in ensuring I will be able to direct the musical. The musical will take place on Friday, April 14 instead of April 28, which is the date previously announced on the school calendars.

Roles have been assigned, the venue has been selected, rehearsals have begun, and costumes are being planned as we speak! A great amount of the costuming will rely on makeup this year, so if you are available to assist in makeup application on the day of the performance please let me know! There will be a “Parent Folder” in Google Docs sent out soon with practice materials, costume details, and other helpful videos and links. 

I am having a blast working with your children and look forward to a great performance in April!

Sincerely,

Nichole Savage

Music and Drama Teacher