Hello Alamo!
For the next 2 weeks, I get to revisit my favorite troupe (period, but also) in this city, Rebel Performing Arts!
They’ve done shows like Decades in Harmony, Aux Cord Chronicles, Broadway: No Rules, and this time they’re taking on a subgenre of music I hold very near and dear to my heart: emo(tional) music.
I think a lot of us were so drawn to it in our teenage years because it gave us permission to be loud and dramatic about our feelings. For a lot of us, it was the first time we felt validated as full human beings, and I think we all deserve that. Nowadays, the nostalgia and the drama just hit really well for me.
The initial meet and greet/informational meeting for Sugar We’re Going Emo was on August 16th. As familiar as I am with Rebel, I’m constantly blown away by their efforts to be respectful of every individual that even remotely participates.
The people who frequently act and sing in this community are amazing. Every time I get to see Bradley, Rosie, Tyler, Elijah, Jada, Jordynn, Abri, Trey, etc. etc. brightens my entire day. For this show, I had an open invitation to any practice I wanted to observe.
One of the co-directors is someone I’ve really enjoyed getting to know over the past couple of years. Amy Bethard. You might remember her as half of the duet who sang Wind Beneath My Wings, with a very sweet and meaningful story behind the song choice. Along with her husband Andy, this show came to be as a sort of toast to their 17-years strong marriage.
The 2 connected through Myspace back in its heyday, along with its ability to convey cryptic lyrics and embed songs over a profile. Andy is the primary fan of the subgenre and first suggested it as a show theme mid-jam to Ohio is for Lovers on a road trip, while Amy’s interest lies more in the theatricality and storytelling component.
Andy, Amy, and their wonderful children Abri and Aurora have been heavily involved in each Rebel show since its founding in late 2024 , whether onstage or backstage, but co-directing with her husband has been a new and fantastic experience for Amy. “It’s been really special getting to combine our strengths and bring something like this to life together.”
It also thrills me that some of my very close personal friends have had the time to discover and explore everything this incredible troupe has to offer.
One of those friends is Kelly Deer, who is recently getting back to her love for singing in her first Rebel show.
Rehearsals for Sugar We’re Going Emo “(are) so much fun. I always look forward to rehearsals; it is a highlight of my week. I am excited to see all of the hard work everyone has put in. These people are SO talented and kind!”
I love watching people finding out how this city can support them in creating new, affirming spaces in which to exist. It’s truly beautiful. And witnessing my friends of several years experiencing it makes my heart explode just a little bit.
See why I love emo music????
Tickets for Sugar We’re Going Emo can be purchased here.
Salud!
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