PAJARO—Last year, every eighth-grader in Monterey County was given the gift of a lifetime: A chance to see the Tony Award-winning musical “Hamilton: An American Musical” live in San Francisco.
Thanks to a generous donation by the Dan and Lillian King Foundation, 9,000 kids from Pajaro to Greenfield were taken by bus up to the big city to experience the Broadway sensation, amidst learning more about the U.S. Constitution in class.
“There are very few opportunities that allow us to teach like that—through the arts,” said Pajaro Middle School Principal Christopher Harris. “I’m thrilled that these students had this experience.”
This Saturday at 7pm a documentary about these events, entitled “9,000 8th Graders” will air on KSBW 8. The film was created by Monterey filmmakers Terri DeBono and Steve Rosen, who visited 13 schools to interview teachers, principals and students, and filmed three bus trips to San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre.
“9,000 8th Graders” chronicles the complicated logistics of the endeavor, as well the core curriculum taught to students before and after the trip. The Dan and Lillian King Foundation worked closely with the Monterey County Office of Education, the Orpheum Theatre, Discovery Charters, and “Hamilton” creator Lin Manuel Miranda and his father, Luis, to plan the trips.
Harris said the film crew visited Pajaro Middle School multiple times, including once to record a small group of drama students sing “The Room Where it Happens,” a popular song from the musical.
“They rehearsed for hours and hours after seeing the show,” Harris said. “They were really inspired.”
Harris believes that the timing of “9,000 8th Graders” couldn’t be better. He acknowledged that the students who saw “Hamilton” were those who will be promoted to high school this year during shelter-in-place.
“I think it will do wonders for morale,” he said. “These students and this community, in general, could use a bit of positivity and hope during these difficult times.”
DeBono and Rosen’s company, Mac and Ava Motion Pictures, was founded in 1987 and has produced many award-winning films including “Beyond the Barbed Wire” and “Accidental Hero.” Promotion for “9,000 8th Graders” is supported by the Monterey County Film Commission.
“9,000 8th Graders” will also air on May 23 on Central Coast ABC at 6:30pm and Estrella TV at 9pm.
