playbill vip

Welcome everyone!

When I was selected to direct AACT’s Spring production I was given two gifts by AACT’s Artistic board. The first was that I could choose the play I would like to direct. I considered several scripts, but no matter how many I read, I always came back to The Last Round-up of the Guacamole Queens. There were funny scripts, dramatic scripts, scripts that made you think, but there weren’t any that had the sheer joy that Guacamole Queens brings to the stage. Several years ago AACT presented The Red Velvet Cake Wars, the first play in a trilogy of which Guacamole Queens is the third. I remember laughing so hard I cried. I wanted to bring that same fun and happiness to this project and believe this wonderful cast has pulled this off.

My second gift was that I could select my Assistant Director and Stage Manager. With this I didn’t hesitate. Malcolm Webster has been my right-hand man throughout this whole process. Not only does he keep me organized, a major feat in itself, he also has amazing insights into the characters and a natural ability to get the most out of every actor and scene with which he works. A large part of what you will see on this stage are his ideas come to life.

Another gift that has been given me is the opportunity to work with this amazing cast. We have newbies and old hands in this company, but each and every one of them has put their whole heart into making this the absolute best production it could be. If you read my bio, you know that I have been doing this for more than forty years. In that entire time, I have never had a cast so devoted to getting off-book and getting down to business. I am humbled that these wonderful, talented people let me direct them as we worked together to bring this show to life.

Finally, the unsung heroes. Take a look at the bottom half of the cast list. You will see all of the crew and support staff that makes theatre possible. While I can't thank them all indivdually in this space, it is said that without a crew, actors would be standing naked on a bare stage in the dark talking to themselves. While that might be amusing, the work these wonderful folk have done will certainly make this show one you will not soon forget. Thank you for coming. Enjoy the show!

Terry Kelley