Author: Marilyn Mullan

Dear 25th Year HST Parents,
*We would love for everyone to share their pictures from the photo shoots.* Please click on the link below and upload your best shots. (We’d prefer you didn’t send several of the same pose. *Please sort through similar pictures and pick your best!)*
Click here: link <drive.google.com/drive/folders/1u6tteHSAPWUXv-_3Oadn_cf8Tit5-zKJ?usp=sharing>
If God blesses us with enough time & money, we will include all the pictures on the thumb drive that each family will get with recording(s). Blessings, Marilyn
PS – If you student was not able to attend the photo shoot, please upload a selfie picture of them that we can include. This picture could be in whatever outfit they want (we don’t expect it to be HST attire or a make-shift costume).

Dear HST Families,
We are getting lots of practice at creative flexibility! Covid-19 is turning out to be a boot-camp for true gratitude. Before the pandemic gratitude was something we shared when things went right. Now, gratitude is something that we have to work at daily in order to stay positive. So, let me start with gratitude that HST exists at all and that we have God as the head of this program. What feels overwhelming for us, is nothing for God. We know that He makes all things work for good for those who love Him and it is a great good to learn how to depend on Him completely and trust, even when things aren’t going well.
Next, I’m going to give some updates on glitches and our creative response.
PHOTO SHOOTS:
– Glitch – the City of Rockville cancelled my contracts to use the cottage at the mansion. – Response: – We are moving all but SR & SH photo shoots to my house. – These programs only had 12 to 14 students participating, so we can have the student & 2 parents (or one parent & sibling/friend) at my home and stay under the 50 people regulation. – If you signed up to attend the photo shoot, you will receive an email with specific details. – SR & SH will get a schedule to costume at Mullan’s and then students/parents will drive to mansion for pictures & return. – We will be looking for a parent volunteer (with a new iphone or a good digital camera) to take photos of each student so that HST can use these pictures to make a photo collage in our program. – Students not attending the photo shoots will be invited to send in a selfie picture that can be used in the photo collage – There are some date changes for photo shoots – Tech/Make-Up – Friday, July 24th – 4pm to 8pm – Acting – Saturday, July 25th – 4 to 4pm – JR Troupe – Monday, July 27th – 4 to 8pm – GB Troupe – Tuesday, July 285h – 4 to 8pm – Theatricals – Wednesday, July 29 – 4 to 8pm – SH Troupe – Thursday, July 30 – 4 to 8pm – SR Troupe – Friday, July 31 – 4 to 8pm
AUDIO RECORDINGS:
– Glitch – getting songs recorded has been harder than anticipated so we will not have every show finished by photo shoots – Response: – We are going to do Private Audio Premieres on Sat. & Sunday of Labor Day weekend (Sept 5 & 6) where each show will get a zoom link to listen to their show together (Grab your popcorn – open your program!) – After enjoying their recording the students on zoom will vote if they are comfortable having an HST Community Premiere on Labor Day. – Schedule for Private Premieres: – Acting – Sat. 2pm Sept. 5 – JR Troupe – Sat. 4pm Sept 5 – SR Troupe – Sat. 7pm Sept 5 – Theatricals – Sun. 2pm Sept. 6 – GB Troupe – Sun. 4pm Sept. 6 – SH Troupe – Sun. 7pm Sept. 6 – Schedule for *possible* HST Community Premieres (*all on Labor Day, Sept. 7*) – Twenty-Five – Mon. 10am – Tuesday Night Live – Mon. 12:30 – Annie Jr. – Mon. 2pm – The Little Mermaid – Mon. 3:30pm – Romeo & Juliet – Mon. 5pm – West Side Story – Mon. 7:30pm
PROGRAM
– Glitch – we realized we need to modify the program so that it can be something fun and positive. – Response: – We will be creating photo collages to add to our program for each show. We’ll use pictures from the photo shoots, or selfie pictures sent in by students not attending the photo shoots (this is optional). – We will be mailing the programs to each family the week of Sept. 1 with instruction: “Do Not Open Until Premiere” – We hope families will wait until the private audio premieres to enjoy looking through the program together
USB Drive with Audio Recording
– If all programs decide they are comfortable with sharing their recordings – families will get one USB with all shows. – If some programs vote to keep their recording private – only families with students in that program will get a USB for that show – USB’s will be available for pick-up at HST’s “Kiss our 25th Good-bye” picnic at Lake Needwood on Saturday, Sept. 12th at Noon. – HST’s Honor Society will announce our 26th Season’s Shows at this picnic.
We will continue to keep you posted about plans for our 26th year. We have enough registered for all 4 troupes and Theatricals. We still need additional Acting students, but we trust that will happen when we share more about our safety plans). So, keep checking for updates. Until then, I hope that everyone is managing to find ways to enjoy your summer – making lots of fun lemonaide! Blessings, Marilyn PS – My thanks to all who prayed for my daughter’s wedding on July 4th. While Covid caused it to be a completely different event than she envisioned, it was still a blessed event with wonderful memories.

Dear HST Parents,
First, I want to remind everyone that my philosophy about HST has always been, “*This program belongs to God. Therefore, if He wants it to survive, He will find a way. If He decides it’s time for it to end (for reasons I may not get to understand) there is nothing I can do to change that*.” Having said that, I need to share that without more people signing up for troupes by the June 30th deadline, we will not attempt to hold these classes next year. As of right now we have only a 1/3 to 1/2 of the expected students for each of the 4 troupes and Theatricals. I recognize that it is hard to commit to anything for next year because of Covid19, but there is no point in putting in the effort to find shows and do pre-production work if we don’t have enough students to cover paying the people we hire to run these programs (tuition needs to cover teachers – ticket sales covers rent – donations cover admin & production costs).
Obviously, if you have prayerfully discerned that you are not meant to return to HST next year, we completely respect that discernment. For others who may have financial, well-being or safety concerns – let me offer the following:
Safety:
– JR & GB Troupes will be selecting shows that have a dramatic version as well as a musical version – allowing us to forego singing & dancing if it does not seem we could include those components safely. (This decision will be made in September after prayerfully considering parent input/advise shared during a parent Zoom meeting). – Note: It is possible that we would move forward with troupes and Theatricals but cancel Dance/Acting/Choirs. – SR Troupe will select a show that has flexibility for smaller group dances. – SH Troupe will forego singing & group dances if needed for safety. – We will ask parents to take students temperature before attending classes. – Attendance will be done in each troupe (no bottle-neck in check-in room). – Hand-washing will be encouraged, and sanitizer will be available. – We will hold rehearsals at outside locations (on Redland grounds or Lake Needwood) if there is a 2nd wave of Covid that would make this prudent.
Well-being:
– To prevent the roller-coaster emotions that students experienced this past year, HST will cancel shows over Christmas break and refund the 2nd semester tuition if there is not enough confidence that we could perform our shows either at FSF Theater or at an outside location. (Directors will select shows with limited set needs so that an outdoor performance is a realistic option.) – While canceling mid-year does not avoid all disappointment, the students will know in advance when the decision will be made so they can view the 1st semester as “training” and not count on performing until we are confident that we could perform (even if just outside). It also saves the time/work that goes into costume, tech, props, sets, and program – which all starts up 2nd semester.
Financial:
– If HST cancels all classes in September – you will get a full refund for everything but the $30 registration fee (which I’ll use to pay the directors for their summer work). If you pay by credit card, you will not get the 3% charged to the payments made up to that point. – If HST cancels Showcase in September, you will get a full refund for all acting, dance, and choir classes, as well as Showcase tickets. – If HST cancels the shows over Christmas break, you will get all of your ticket money refunded and half of your tuition money refunded.
I will end with my personal hope that this outlined plan for minimizing the safety, well-being, and financial risks, will enable most of our families to feel comfortable signing up for another year with HST. It seems premature to shut down HST before we really know what the impact of Covid19 will be in the fall. However, as I stated at the beginning of this email, there is no point in putting in the work to plan next year if there really is only 1/3 to 1/2 of our families willing to return.
Again, God doesn’t owe us this program, so if it is His will that Covid 19 puts an end to HST (at least for next year), then I will accept that. I simply ask that you discern with your wise mind, not your fearful mind. Blessings, Marilyn PS – The early bird discount prices for HST’s classes are good through June 30th. (Prices go up on July 1).

*TUESDAY – June 16* Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30am (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/81243905335 <us02web.zoom.us/j/81243905335>
Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to 12:45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/84622515984?pwd=ZHI3SFAwcDJFWG1RRUJhaUpqcVhYUT09
*WEDNESDAY – June 17* Irish Softshoe – 9:30am to 10:30am (Ms. Tammy) us02web.zoom.us/j/89571803331 <us02web.zoom.us/j/89571803331>
Broadway Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/89448882602 <us02web.zoom.us/j/89448882602> Boys’ Jazz and Jazz 3 & 4 – 10:30am to11:30am (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/81427673209?pwd=ckpwZzJhblc2QXNnMi9GTVFwSkFJZz09
Broadway Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to12:45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/84077010124?pwd=S1ZGaU9tZDdrSkIrTGZkSERMeTRiUT09 Tap 3 & 4 – 11:45am – 12 45 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/84788572001 <us02web.zoom.us/j/84788572001>

Use the links below. There are no passwords right now. We’ll change that if we have any issues. Blessings, Marilyn
Dear 25th Year HST Families,
As promised, below are the links to all of our *FREE Zoom dance classes*. *These are NOT instructional classes – but are an opportunity for some fun, creative exercise.*
The Irish softshoe is open to any student who would like to try this style of dance. For Tap & Jazz – we’ve listed the levels that we are targeting for the class. Please remember this is not supposed to be a regular class. The *teachers will not be taking questions – you are just joining in to follow along as best you can. *
Note: *These classes do not have passwords.* * If this becomes a problem, we’ll switch them and send out passwords. * Blessings, Marilyn
*TUESDAY – June 9* Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30am (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/82196831927?pwd=cXpwZTRLemdtV0xTQll5dWFHMzNIQT09 Tap 1 & 2 – 11;45 to 12:45 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/84118124017 <us02web.zoom.us/j/84118124017>
*WEDNESDAY – June 10* Irish Softshoe – 9:30am to 10:30am (Ms. Tammy) us02web.zoom.us/j/84232622072
Broadway Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30(Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/83406522228?pwd=V1B4ZWdLWnY3M2tpaWd4ZzV5WGx2dz09 Boys’ Jazz and Jazz 3 & 4 – 10:30am to11:30am (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/84857128832
Broadway Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to12:45 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/88941455947 <us02web.zoom.us/j/88941455947> Tap 3 & 4 – 11:45am to 12;45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/83854395989?pwd=bzlxejVsb2JFSDFvOTU5RlkwTlZGUT09
*TUESDAY – June 16* Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30am (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/81243905335 <us02web.zoom.us/j/81243905335>
Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to 12:45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/84622515984?pwd=ZHI3SFAwcDJFWG1RRUJhaUpqcVhYUT09
*WEDNESDAY – June 17* Irish Softshoe – 9:30am to 10:30am (Ms. Tammy) us02web.zoom.us/j/89571803331 <us02web.zoom.us/j/89571803331>
Broadway Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/89448882602 <us02web.zoom.us/j/89448882602> Boys’ Jazz and Jazz 3 & 4 – 10:30am to11:30am (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/81427673209?pwd=ckpwZzJhblc2QXNnMi9GTVFwSkFJZz09
Broadway Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to12:45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/84077010124?pwd=S1ZGaU9tZDdrSkIrTGZkSERMeTRiUT09 Tap 3 & 4 – 11:45am – 12 45 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/84788572001 <us02web.zoom.us/j/84788572001>

My Dear Christian Friends,
I am not usually a political person. However, I greatly value the freedom to vote and to peacefully protest. Petitions are a way to do this. While it will be very hard to get anyone to pay attention to the voices of Christians begging to be let into our churches, when there are huge protests focusing on unjust deaths, it is still worth the effort. Our gift of faith tells us that there is something more than life on earth and we need to go on record that the eternal life of people is equally important (actually more, but we won’t push it)..
I take comfort in all the Bible stories where God’s mighty hand brought victory to a seemingly impossible situation. These remind us of the truth that nothing is impossible for God. In the end, one of the lessons God may be teaching us through this pandemic, is that we need to speak up and defend our right to worship. (Obviously, some people will not be comfortable attending church at this point, but the option should be allowed, with the same restrictions that are allowing other businesses to operate.)
Please note – I am not sending this out to all of HST as an official HST email. I am only sending it out to those who have opted to be in HST’s prayer email group. I have always respected differing opinions, so there is absolutely no pressure intended. You are free to do whatever your spirit feels is best for you.
Finally, prayer (which all of you have so generously offered to do) is THE most important thing we can ever do. It is the secret weapon at every Christian’s disposal. So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you understand prayer’s importance and actively volunteer to pray for petitions.
May God bless you for taking the time to read this and consider signing/sharing it and/or praying for its success. Blessings, Marilyn chng.it/Pg59qhPGm8

Dear HST Families,
I’ve been praying about our dance classes and have decided that we need to offer a refund to families in September if parents decide they are not comfortable. Here is the new plan:
– We have make-up dance classes scheduled for Sept. 8 & 9, Sept. 15 & 16. – These are optional classes (for students who paid for dance in 2019/2020) – Most classes will be done in mask but the Jazz 4 time slot will be open to any high-schoolers who wish to do a class without a mask (if legally allowed). – Sept. 17 parents will vote for whether they want their children in classes with mask or without – HST will review votes to see if we can adjust classes (possibly combining levels) so that some are in mask & some are not – Skill assessments will be done on Sept. 23 and students will be informed which classes they are eligible for – Parents will have 24 hours (after assessments go out) to withdraw their students from classes & receive a full refund
I realize that offering this option to parents is not a great business move because I won’t know if we have enough students to run classes until a couple weeks before the Oct. 7 start date for 2020/2021 classes. However, I believe that HST needs to go this extra-mile to support parents. It was clear from the zoom meeting that we have a wide range of concerns and I think some parents won’t really know what they are comfortable with until we hold those 2 make-up classes in September.
Blessings, Marilyn

Dear HST Dance Student Parents,
Here are the Sign-Up Genius links for Pre-Assessment/Tutoring with either Pep Target or Melanie Barber. These will done over a Zoom session. You will be sent a Zoom link the evening before your session.
Please remember, these are NOT assessments. They are private sessions to help students figure out what skills they need to be working on. Additional sessions can then be used for tutoring sessions.
These sessions cost $25. Payment is made directly to the teacher. Blessings, Marilyn
Pep Targete’s Sign-Up
www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0549aea72ca1fa7-peptarget
Melanie Barber’s Sign-Up
www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0549aea72ca1fa7-preassessment

Dear 25th Year HST Families,
As promised, below are the links to all of our *FREE Zoom dance classes*. *These are NOT instructional classes – but are an opportunity for some fun, creative exercise.*
The Irish softshoe is open to any student who would like to try this style of dance. For Tap & Jazz – we’ve listed the levels that we are targeting for the class. Please remember this is not supposed to be a regular class. The *teachers will not be taking questions – you are just joining in to follow along as best you can. *
Note: *These classes do not have passwords.* * If this becomes a problem, we’ll switch them and send out passwords. * Blessings, Marilyn
*TUESDAY – June 9* Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30am (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/82196831927?pwd=cXpwZTRLemdtV0xTQll5dWFHMzNIQT09 Tap 1 & 2 – 11;45 to 12:45 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/84118124017 <us02web.zoom.us/j/84118124017>
*WEDNESDAY – June 10* Irish Softshoe – 9:30am to 10:30am (Ms. Tammy) us02web.zoom.us/j/84232622072
Broadway Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30(Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/83406522228?pwd=V1B4ZWdLWnY3M2tpaWd4ZzV5WGx2dz09 Boys’ Jazz and Jazz 3 & 4 – 10:30am to11:30am (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/84857128832
Broadway Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to12:45 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/88941455947 <us02web.zoom.us/j/88941455947> Tap 3 & 4 – 11:45am to 12;45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/83854395989?pwd=bzlxejVsb2JFSDFvOTU5RlkwTlZGUT09
*TUESDAY – June 16* Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30am (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/81243905335 <us02web.zoom.us/j/81243905335>
Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to 12:45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/84622515984?pwd=ZHI3SFAwcDJFWG1RRUJhaUpqcVhYUT09
*WEDNESDAY – June 17* Irish Softshoe – 9:30am to 10:30am (Ms. Tammy) us02web.zoom.us/j/89571803331 <us02web.zoom.us/j/89571803331>
Broadway Jazz 1 & 2 – 10:30am to 11:30 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/89448882602 <us02web.zoom.us/j/89448882602> Boys’ Jazz and Jazz 3 & 4 – 10:30am to11:30am (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/81427673209?pwd=ckpwZzJhblc2QXNnMi9GTVFwSkFJZz09
Broadway Tap 1 & 2 – 11:45am to12:45 (Ms. Melanie) us02web.zoom.us/j/84077010124?pwd=S1ZGaU9tZDdrSkIrTGZkSERMeTRiUT09 Tap 3 & 4 – 11:45am – 12 45 (Ms. Pep) us02web.zoom.us/j/84788572001 <us02web.zoom.us/j/84788572001>

*If you need to enroll a** new student* (one who was not registered with HST last year), we recommend that you complete their registrations first. You can do this by clicking the Admissions tab at the top and complete that application. NOTE: Please use the Admission tab *only* to enroll a new student.