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"Wow, what a rollercoaster of a ride!" is the best way I can describe the process which brought Brandywine Musicals' production of Fame Jr. to life. The 2020-2021 school year presented unique concerns and challenges in every corner of the world, including our own! In the beginning, I wasn't sure we were going to be able to do a show this year at all and, if we could, what it might look like. When the decision was made to host an online performance, mixed reactions were felt by potential cast and production crew. However, a resilient group of students came out to auditions and the production team was able to assemble a remarkable cast eager to share Fame Jr. with our community.

My name is Kevin Smith, originally from Waterford, MI. Prior to holding the title of "director," I spent six years teaching in South Carolina before returning North in 2015 to begin teaching 7th grade English and High School Theater here at Brandywine. I now teach 11th grade English and will be starting a middle school theater class next year! When I started working with Brandywine Musicals, I helped out where needed. More often than not, I ended up working behind the scenes at the tech table (I was always the one in the back of the gym dancing along with the actors on stage).  I am very excited to step into the role of director, and even more excited to do so during such a challenging year. There's nothing quite like learning to swim by diving head-first into the deepest part of the pool!

The Covid-19 pandemic created unforeseen challenges for the world, and the production of Fame Jr. was no exception. However, I enjoy a challenge; they offer an opportunity to tackle new problems. Thankfully, I was not alone in the effort.  Rejoining the production crew are two well-established figures within the program: Denise Boger as Music Director, and Daysha Amster as Assistant Director & Choreographer. Joining us this year is a new face, Sarah Holaway as Costume Designer.  Sarah is someone I have volunteered with in a number of community theater productions with Elkhart Civic Theater. I am thrilled she has joined the Brandywine family!  

Figuring out a way to present the best performance possible, to the largest audience we could, while also keeping everyone involved safe was a task everyone eagerly rose to meet, cast included.  Cast members wore masks while learning choreography and music, and actively participated in remote rehearsals when unable to attend classes in-person. Students carved out recording spaces in their homes or stayed after school to find the right space to work in. Online meetings with designer Sarah Holaway allowed us to conduct the costuming process remotely. And at the core of everything, the cast rehearsed, and rehearsed, and rehearsed!

All of this work was done so we could share our art, our passion, with you.  So, thank you!

Thank you for being here for us; for giving us a reason to work on and share what we create.  Thank you for supporting local arts programs, a vital part of every community.  Your support inspires us to grow, learn, and push ourselves to present energetic performances in hopes of inspiring delight and offering entertainment.  We, the cast and crew of Fame Jr. hope we are able to do that tonight even though we can’t be on stage in front of you. Perhaps in the fall we will all be able to gather together again to create some in-person magic.

On behalf of the cast and crew of Brandywine Musicals’ production of Fame, The Musical Jr., to our community and to our families, and everyone else who supports us: Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Kevin Smith

Director

Brandywine Musicals