playbill vip

NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR

I am extremely proud of this production. The quality of the cast, crew and volunteers is outstanding. A truly successful production however, involves more than what is presented on stage. It should not only be an artistic learning experience, but a personal one as well. I am especially proud of the cooperation, mutual respect, level of committment, set painting and teamwork that has been demonstrated by everyone involved in this production. These students have put masks on with egos aside and discovered that whether they had one line or fifty, were on or off stage, that everyone shares equally in the pride and success of such an accomplishment.

I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to our ISD1 Superintendent, Principals,  Teachers, School Board and Aitkin Community for supporting our school/community performances. This is our 52nd musical at AHS!

To My Seniors - It's always bittersweet for me watching our final performance. I'm proud of all of you, having been your director for many of you for six years. 

• Jorde - Always a light and a star in all that you do.
• Maddie - Strong, talented and compassionate leader with so much heart.
• Kaylee - This has been your year on stage!
• Jezriel - All the world's a stage and the stage is yours.
• Thomas - So much growth as an actor.
• Bailey - A dancer with so much passion.
• Ally - Dependable, kind, willing to jump in.
• Sarah - Confident, great to have you back in choir.
• Maggie - Creative, positive and caring young woman.

Thank you to my family for supporting all of my years directing AHS musicals.

Special Thanks to:

• Amara, my daughter, for choreographing this year's show and last year's show "The Music Man" that was forced to be cancelled because of COVID.
• Gary for designing and constructing our set, going on crazy roadtrips along with all his love, care and passion for me and what I do.
• Volunteer students and alumni in the Light/Sound Booth: Kindrid, Riley and Allie.
• Mark for friendship and help with set construction.
• Miles for your willingness to be put to work with set construction.
• Joy Janzen for costume alterations along with constructing vests and overlays.
• Heidi, my anonymous artistic friend, for help with color design for the set.
• Concert Choir students for painting the our beautiful set. 
• Patricia - ThreadAndIron Etsy shop for the wonderful nun singer's masks.
• Laura Piotrowski - UMD Theatre for "Sister Act" costume collection.
• Cory Thompson - Mundelein High School for sparkly costumes.
• Jacki Rinta - for making script binders for the leads and me.
• Tracy Morris, my sister - for the tabletop jukebox.
• Jason Roos and Darla Croatt - for "Sister Act" posters
• Jonathan Meier - Mundelein High School Theatre Director for advice.
• Brian Berberich - Theatrical Costumes in Mpls. for specialty costumes.
• Topher Pirki - Audio Quip of St. Paul for excellent earset mic system.
• Parents, community patrons, local newspapers and businesses for support.

• Contributors who donate to the auditorium renovation fund and for donations to Concert Choir along with other Fine Arts programs at AHS. 

Break a leg!

Kelly Blake