CHESTERTON | A documentary film about the coed choir at Chesterton High School made its world premiere at the school's auditorium Friday.
Presented by the Duneland Performing Arts Series, "show/choir" follows the journey of the Chesterton Sandpipers over the course of the 2005-06 school year as they navigate their way through the competition season. The film was written and directed by CHS 2001 graduate and former Sandpiper Marissa Flaxbart.
"When I got the idea for this movie it came from the fact that I just loved show choir and I was having a really hard time explaining to people what it was," she said.
Former Sandpipers who were in show choir during the documentary filming were among the audience members who turned out for the premiere. Two of them, Michael Kammerer and Zach Thostesen, made the trip from Chicago, where they are now roommates.
"I'm really excited to see the finished product and what moments are in there," said Kammerer, 23.
Samantha Sangerman was a Sandpiper that year and she came back to see the film with her parents and younger brother, Max, also a former Sandpiper. Sangerman, a student at Columbia College, said it was very motivating to be filmed, especially from a director who was a Sandpiper herself.
"I have some special memories from that year," she said. "I'm really glad I came back during my senior year of college to see this."
Another audience member was the choir director in the film, Linda Pauli, who retired following the 2005-06 school year.
"I think this is wonderful," she said. "Everybody says what you do is so much fun yet they have no idea how much work it is and how many hours are spent over and over to get the least little detail perfect."
Someone who does have an idea is current Sandpiper and CHS senior Amber Robinson, who said the film will show people what they do behind the scenes.
"We're not just up there singing and dancing and having a good time," she said. "We work hard."
Please Wait…