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   When I announced that Tarzan was our season’s closer, I got many mixed emotions from students asking, “Why did I pick this show?” or “Did they really have to play apes?” The answer to both questions is sometimes you must push yourself outside of your comfort zone to allow yourself to grow (and honestly, it just is a fun show to do). I can personally tell you that this cast has worked so incredibly hard, pushing through MANY injuries: broken feet, bruised knuckles, busted knees, skinned feet, bruised elbows, broken fingernails, and soreness in every inch of their body. I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done to help bring this show to life. Disney magic is so real, and you can see that through this cast. They all have pushed themselves beyond all limits, physically and mentally, and created such a beautiful work of art that I am so proud to present to you all today.

   This show would not be impossible without Dylan and Leilyn, my rocks/best friends. Thank you both so much. Thank you for sharing your talents with this cast and pushing them even further than they thought possible regarding their abilities. Dylan, I love you more than you know, and I want to thank you for the creative vision that you brought to life. It has been so much fun to work with you again. Leilyn, my sweet girl, you helped these kids in ways I NEVER could. Thank you for bringing out their vocal confidence and taking the time to believe in these kids. I love that I get to work with you and see your talents shine thorugh this cast. You guys genuinely have made up my dream team when it comes to this show. I love you both and will always be grateful for your dedication to this show and the everyday 45-minute drive it took you to get here.

   There is another group I need to thank you to, so please buckle in. I need to start with the people who helped clear our wish list for this show. We COULD NOT have done it without you, and that is the truth. Thank you because you supported not only this show but this program. To all the parents who drove their kids to and from rehearsals, put in so much time and money, donated many snacks and waters during our long tech rehearsals, helped sell concessions, and believed in these kids like I do, thank you! I will forever be grateful to my admin for allowing me to not only do this show, but let me continue doing what I love, which is showing these students that the stage has a place for everyone in it (and you can see that our entire show is completely designed and run by students and I am SO PROUD of them). To Buddy Hart and Panola Playhouse- I could go on for days about how much you mean to me and this show would not be what it is without your generosity, but I think you already know this.

   To my seniors, I am so proud of the people you have grown into. I will cherish the moments we have shared in this room for years to come. When you take your final bow on this stage, I hope you always know I will always be in your corner, cheering you on, no matter your path in life. You’ll be in my heart, always.

   This show is unique in many ways, but mostly because it is the first time DCHS Theatre will participate in the High School Musical Theatre Awards, or Orpheum Awards for short. This is a huge deal for this program since they have never been a part of it before, and I want to thank Lena Black and the people at the HSMTA program for taking the time to come out and see the show.

   I hope you all enjoy the magic of the jungle as we take you on a journey tonight. They have worked SO HARD for the last four months to assemble this show, and I hope you love it as much as we do. So, please sit back and enjoy the magic of Disney as we present Tarzan the Musical.

To my adventurers, this one is for you!

Victoria GraceAnn Newton
Matthew 5:16