3-24-2023 4:08am

Local Resident and Boyertown School District Retiree Returns to the Director's Chair

Lesley Misko Editor

When local resident and Boyertown Area School District (BASD) English teacher Mr. Scott Didyoung retired from teaching, he also retired from coaching the senior high soccer team and from directing the senior high musicals.

Now he is back directing, and Exeter Township Senior High is the beneficiary of his experience and talents. For his Exeter directing debut, Scott will raise the curtain on the show Matilda, the Musical.

The show, based on a novel written by British writer Roald Dahl and published in 1988, focuses on a young girl named Matilda who is extremely smart and creative. Sadly, her parents cannot understand her specialness and are neglectful and abusive. She is also ill-treated by her school’s headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who is every bit as unappealing as her name. Fortunately, there is a caring teacher who advocates for Matilda.

Commenting on his selection of Matilda, Scott says, “It is one I always wanted to do. I like the author and this particular story. I believe it is timely because so many young people these days seem to feel disconnected.” As a retired English teacher, Scott also likes the character Matilda because she has a “love of books and thirst for knowledge that she attains from what she reads.”

Musing about his return to directing, Scott shares, “After my unexpected retirement, I missed having a sense of purpose. I wanted to look forward to something, and I realized I wasn’t anywhere near finished with teaching and directing. When the Exeter opportunity came along, Boyertown friends and former colleagues were encouraging,” he adds.

Scott notes that the show is a “district-wide show” because the cast includes 23 students from elementary school through high school, and he has nothing but praise for the students with whom he is working. He describes them as “wonderfully talented,” and is pleased to have the opportunity to “nurture that talent.”

Comparing his directing experience at Exeter to his many years at Boyertown, Scott says it is “very different.” He feels that “the students are consistent and have been working hard. They seem to appreciate our time together and demonstrate motivation to attain excellence.” However, he explains “it is hard to start over.”

“I miss the staff,” Scott says. “Over the years in Boyertown, we put together a group of talented and creative people who worked hard to support the vision of each show.” Scott has been working to do likewise at Exeter and is pleased to have gathered some wonderful people to help out, but it will take time for them to gain experience.

However not everyone helping with Matilda is new. Eager to help support Scott’s return to directing, several Boyertown friends are providing their expertise and a little of that hometown vibe. Former BASD graduate and English teacher Melissa Cherkasky is working on costumes; former BASD graduate and art teacher Doreen Yergey Cechak has contributed her artistic vision to the show’s set; Rachel Folk, also a BASD grad, is handling hair and make-up, and Jamie Culipher, BASD vocal music teacher, is pitching in with costumes.

Scott summarizes what Matilda is all about: “I always like to choose shows that have a worthwhile message and are relevant to what is going on in society. We want children to know they don’t have to allow themselves to be bullied. We want children to have a thirst for reading and learning. We also want children to know that if they can find one person in life to be close to, it can make a big difference. Matilda finds that in Miss Honey, and it demonstrates how important a teacher can be in a child’s life.”

“It’s a great show. I hope lots of people come to watch it,” concludes Scott.

Performances are scheduled for March 30, 31, and April 1 at 7 PM, and April 2 at 2 PM. Tickets are $12, and can be purchased in advance here.

There will be a free special performance for senior citizens March 29 at 6:30 PM. For tickets for that performance email: clmcrobbie@exetersd.org