Ayala has been on an amazing journey over the years when it comes to show design. Since 2015 alone, the group from Chino Hills, California has used a massive wall of TVs, donned faceless uniforms while performing to "The Rite of Spring," and put together a show didn’t introduce color until the very end.

Well, in 2018, Ayala is upping its game with its show called "A Time To Know."

Synopsis

Do you ever truly stop and count the blessings in your life, both big and small?

Those seemingly unnoticed blessings are exactly what Ayala instructor Ike Jackson wants audience members to recognize through the group's show this year.

“There are so many things that we just take for granted,” Jackson said. “It’s these daily blessings that allows us to go through life and overcome so many struggles.”

Ayala will use a small group of cast members called the "visual line" to represent the blessings in the lives of the drumline members. And the struggles and obstacles those drumline members face in life will be represented by 80 small chairs.

While the drumline performs and marches around the floor, it will be the job of the visual line to move all 80 chairs in such a way that the drumline members never miss a step — because the blessings in their lives have set them up for success.

The Chairs

The idea was sparked by the vision of a couple waltzing together. 

Jackson said he thought of the chairs based on the idea of a couple waltzing throughout an empty ballroom. 

“Imagine them dancing around without a care in the world in this empty room,” Jackson explained. “But if the chairs were not in the exact spot they needed it would be impossible for them to dance without tripping over everything.” 

Though the chairs are set up for success for one couple, they could be disastrous for another couple dancing.

“A blessing for one man doesn’t mean it’s a blessing for another.” Jackson said.

So while one or two members of the visual line will fling chairs out of the way for the snares, the other members will frantically reset the chairs so they will not impede the bass line.

All White

Don’t expect a wonderful array of colors from Ayala. Jackson said the main idea is for the audience to truly see and count the blessings in their lives. 

To create that effect, Jackson has decided to remove all color from the drumline members and only give color to the blessings.

The uniforms, the drums, the floor, the pit equipment, the racks, concert bass drums, and even the keys to the marimbas/vibes will all be white. EVERYTHING will be white. 

But the blessings will be in gold so that audience members truly see how much they play a role in their lives.

So get ready for another thought-provoking production from Ayala, because 2018 will certainly make you remember the blessings in your life.