playbill vip

There a several plays that I consider to be classics that every theatre troupe has to perform at some point. “The Importance of Being Earnest” is definitely one of them. Written in 1895 by Oscar Wilde, the characters, relationships, comedy, and even the theme of wealth and status outweighing love are timeless. I am so proud of our actors and technicians. They have truly risen to the challenge and fell in love with this classic play.  

I am so excited to be welcoming Audrey Young to our department this year. Taking over from Jeff Neugebauer as Technical Director, she has some big shoes to fill, but has jumped in with both feet and has been doing an amazing job. 

We are so fortunate for those patrons and community members who have donated their tax credit to our program. Our costumes, sets, and shows would be non-existent if it wasn’t for these donations. If you have not heard of the tax credit program, I urge you to look into it. It costs you nothing in the end and helps our troupe continue to produce professional quality shows for our students and the community. Additionally, this program has a few businesses who chose to advertise in our playbill. Please, let them know you appreciate their contribution to our program and mention these ads when you go to these business. Let them know you appreciate their support of arts in the schools for our Verde Valley students.

I have to say, in these crazy times, the understudies have truly been the backbone of our rehearsal process. I did not do understudies before COVID, but with the amount of quarantines and absences, the understudies have made this show the success it is. They don’t get the spotlight every day, and are only seen briefly as maids and butlers in the show, but they have had such an impact on our department and I’m so proud of their work. Everyday rehearsals continued with ease as students had to come and go.

If you have any chance, please let your friends, family, neighbors, or the stranger in the grocery store know of this production. While we try to get the word to our community, YOU are our best form of advertisement.

Enjoy the show!

James M. Ball, ATORT Theatre Producer and Director