GOLD RIVER, CA  (MPG) - Gold River’s Awards Season is not over. In fact, its highly-rated Spring & Summer production has just begun. Those actors in leading roles, the Stingrays themselves, are working diligently with their directors … in-the-water coaches on stage and in-the-gym trainers behind the scenes. Nuanced talent is developing among cast members, wardrobe has been fitted, and set designers are auditioning the sound system and other equipment. Through April, before the opening, swimmers are participating in daily run-throughs and memorizing their starting scripts for well-timed scenes.

Akin to live-action human animations, swim meets require seamless choreography in a collaborative effort to form an ensemble that is both harmonious and vivacious. No walk-ons, fill-ins or cameos; rehearsals are imperative. The team’s Board members, parental keypersons and all volunteers [some needing official actors’ certification] play supporting roles; and Sponsors have graciously accepted serving in the capacity as promotors. This huge cast and crew ensures that the production has solid entertainment value, builds into a thrilling crescendo, and enjoys a successful and rewarding long run.

At present, more experienced, older leads are demonstrating to the younger how to lay it all out there in front of a live audience. Stagefright? Good. Tap into those nerves and use them as performance-enhancing special effects. When the audience responds with applause and cheering, there’s a mutually palpable and undeniably intense exchange of energy. This reciprocal interaction, which then courses through the actors’ veins, spurs them on to give it even more than they thought they had … and generates over-the-top enthusiasm for intros into each of their upcoming scenes!

On May 11, the Stingrays dress rehearse at Time Trials. Individually strong and confident, and coagulating into an equally-so ensemble, they’ll have established a baseline and are then able to reach for summited performances, until the award-winning production closes down at season’s end. With four other teams in the Gold Rush Conference, for its Festival of Competition debut, the Gold River players are traveling in concert to Rocklin on May 18. Lights-Camera-Action!

Last year’s cast and crew have now received their last Standing O’s and taken that final curtain call. During an annual, fun social event at the club on April 28, the new leading actors and directors will line up as a Singular Sensation and pose for another professional picture, the returnees adding 2019 to their burgeoning portfolios.

Before the ensemble and audience break for intermission, June’s script requires rapid fire dialogues. How about six meets, including two invitationals? Practice makes perfect. Perform and reform -- move and improve. Repeat with every live performance. Such is the nature of the Stingrays’ Superstars and their claim to fame. Lights-Camera-Action!