In late 2019, I became aware that Chillicothe Civic Theatre was accepting applications for Shrek the Musical. I had very little interest in the show previously, so this hadn’t been on my radar. After some conversation with my wonderful producer and friend, Amanda Betz, I became interested. I knew of the show but knew none of the songs and barely knew what the show encompassed. So, I dove in and started researching the show.
HOLY COW.
I was blown away by the magnitude of talent required for the show. I wanted to know all of the songs. I cracked up laughing until I was crying. THIS was definitely MY kind of show. I got to work. I started figuring out blocking. I started organizing. The emails started coming in. I had asked Markie Yanko to be my junior director. I was going to work with him and help him learn more about being a director. I hadn’t directed since 2017 and I was aching to work those muscles again. And then… COVID-19 happened. And I was devastated. I had so many wonderful people send me video auditions and I couldn’t cast them. We couldn’t do the show. The world came to a halt and we all went into seclusion. The theatre community was at a loss. No one could create. No one could act or direct. Theatres sat empty. 2020 was a dark time for creative people. It was a dark time for me.
BUT, my friends, that’s not how the story ended, is it?
Here we are, in 2021, (mostly) maskless, (mostly) vaccinated, and living in a new kind of normal. AND there’s THEATRE again! I cried when I was told we were going to pursue Shrek the Musical in the summer of 2021. I had a show again! I would get to create and build my vision after all.
Now, after a year and a half of waiting, planning, worrying, stressing, laughing, and singing along, my vision has come to life. I have this amazing cast of people who have come together in theatrical fellowship week after week and utilized their talents and abilities to make this show possible, and for that I am so grateful. I am blessed beyond measure to have these people in my life. I am blessed to have Amanda Betz in my life, cheering me on every week since I officially became the director for this show. I am blessed to have my Stage Manager and Show Sponsor, Allison Arnold. That woman has made sure I had dinner on countless occasions. She has offered nothing but support and love. Both Allison and Amanda are a major part of this show; without them, this show would not be possible. Without so many wonderful people, this show would not be as magical as it has become.
