Midwinter Revels Children’s Chorus Spotlight: Jacob & Mira Whiting

Every year, a brave cohort of young performers take the Sanders Theatre stage as members of our Revels Children’s Chorus. After months of rehearsal, including three all-day weekend rehearsals with our Adult Chorus, they take the stage to perform songs, dances, and more for two exciting weeks of performances. Revels Marketing Manager Sydney Roslin sat down with Jacob Whiting, a first-time member of the Children’s Chorus, and mom Mira Whiting, a long-time Revels attendee and Midwinter Revels volunteer photographer, to chat about this year’s show.

Jacob Whiting plays the cow in “The Pig Went Out to Dig.” Photo by Mira Whiting.

Sydney Roslin: Jacob, can you tell me a little bit about what you’re doing in the show this year?

Jacob Whiting:  I’m in the children’s chorus. Also, I’m going to be the cow in “The Pig Went Out to Dig” and I’m going to be the Archer Boy in the Abbots Bromley dance.

SR: Why did you decide to audition for the children’s chorus this year?

JW: My mom would always bring us to see the show. She started going a while ago with my grandparents. I decided to audition this year because it looked like fun to be in the show and because I’m good at singing.

Mira Whiting: I attended my first Revels performance in 1988 and I have been every year since. I took Jacob for the first time when he was four.

The Whiting family attends Midwinter Revels together.

SR: What should audiences look forward to in Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools?

JW: There is a lot of rhyming in the script, which is very cool. There’s also a shadow play, which is fun. Revels is a big celebration for everybody

SR: Do you go to other Revels events throughout the year?

JW: I’ve gone to Spring Sing. I also dance with Hop Brook Morris.

SR: When did you start Morris dancing?

JW: The first time I was on a team I was in kindergarten, except everyone else on that team was a teenager. There was a big height difference – I had to reach as high as I could on tiptoes and they had to bend down just so we could cross sticks during the dance. I joined Hop Brook last year, and the kids are my age so we’re the same height. I started Morris dancing because my mom does it.

MW: Susie Petrov was my elementary school music teacher, so my school had a longsword team for the fifth and sixth graders. That’s how I found out about Morris dancing. I joined Muddy River Morris almost 20 years ago, and I have also been dancing with Harbor Steel since last March.

Jacob Whiting plays the Archer Boy in the Abbots Bromley dance. Photo by Mira Whiting

SR: Do you have a favorite song or dance in this year’s show?

JW: My favorite song is “Personant Hodie.” My favorite dance is Abbots Bromley. Well, it’s either going to be that or “Lord of the Dance,” which I’ve done many times. I also really like the Mummers’ play.

SR: Why should a kid audition for the Midwinter Revels Children’s Chorus?

JW: It’s a lot of fun and you can make new friends. Also, you can learn how to perform. This year, the Children’s Chorus has a lot of energy. It’s great to sing with everyone

SR: And Mira, why should a family attend Revels?

MW: It’s just really joyful. I keep coming back every year because no matter what the theme is, it’s always a lot of fun. I also like that it’s participatory. You’re not just sitting there in the audience, you’re part of the celebration through your singing and dancing. That’s always been something I’ve really enjoyed.

Volunteers Leah Labreque and Mira Whiting help with product sales at Midwinter Revels.

Watch Jacob and the rest of the Revels Children’s Chorus at Midwinter Revels: The Feast of Fools, running now through December 28! The show will also be available for streaming from December 25 – January 7 with the purchase of a Virtual Event Pass. Learn more and buy tickets at revels.org/midwinter.