i began my teaching position at Mother Theodore Guerin High School in August 1993. That would seem to be a pretty big deal in itself. In September, however, I also became props manager for Opera San Benedetto in Chicago, which involved an intense and demanding schedule on its own. My dear friend Alice asked me if I had thought carefully about how I was going to do this. Not really. Teaching sophomore girls church history by day and scurrying around backstage at St. Benedict's seemed possible.
But it was crazy.
I would get my children and me up and fed and distributed to schools, and then race out to Guerin for my first class. Lots of class prep was done in my VW as I drove out to Cumberland and Belmont. (Don't tell.) The happy part was that I loved church history and was delighted to talk about it all day long.
As soon as I could leave, I zipped home from school, collecting Alexander en route and getting home before the older two children. We all relaxed as much as possible and I stirred up supper quick like a bunny. Once the opera rehearsals started, I got everyone settled to homework and then headed to St. Benedict's. Some of you have worked in theatre and know the demands of providing the necessary props at the necessary times in the necessary places behind stage. Always tricky. We were presenting "Pagliacci" and we had a superb cast. I adored the music but I was exhausted by the end of each rehearsal. Of course, I had to set the props for the next rehearsal or performance, but that was my job.
When I got back home, it was good night conversations and uncluttered time with my children. Once they were abed, I had to prepare for the next day's classes and perhaps even grade papers. My alarm clock rang all too early the next day.
I should point out that my dear husband had begun a new job, too, as a professor of architecture at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He drove there and back again twice a week, so he had his own challenges with too much to do in too little time. What a start to the school year we all had.
How did I manage that first six weeks? More or less trying to do everything for everyone. Looking back, I really don't know how I didn't just have a melt down. But I had so much fun! Meeting all my young students and sharing the excitement of church history with them (well, it was exciting to me) was a demanding adventure filled with some wonderful people. I loved Guerin. Learning the ins and outs of operatic productions delighted and exhausted me. I have never looked at any kind of theatrical production the same way since.
You may be wondering how I got swept up in an opera company. Fair question! Many of the members of the adult choir at St. Benedict's parish in Chicago were professional musicians and actors. Many of the folks who had grown up in the parish remembered putting on amateur theatricals when they were teens and young adults. Our music director (my dear friend Les) thought we had a good chance to do quality performances of classical opera. Why not? We began with "Die Fliedermaus", then moved on to "Pagliacci", "La Boheme", "La Traviata", and "The Elixir of Love". We also tossed in "The 1940's Radio Hour" at Christmas.
I helped out in all the performances, and even was in the chorus for "Elixir". I managed to fulfill my teaching commitment with no disasters, and eagerly signed a new contract. The opera company didn't last much longer than that first season and I didn't continue to help out.
So I survived it all and look back on that year with amazement and affection. I had such a good time!
But summer vacation arrived none too soon.
