Being an educator doesn’t stop when I put on my director’s hat. That is the core of everything the Drama Club evolves around. Learning to collaborate, learning to create, learning choreography, learning patience, learning to persevere and try again. Even choosing the shows we do in a season is a learning experience: what can I bring to the current members of the Drama Club that will teach them something new, different and exciting? How do we remember that gems such as Hello, Dolly!, which is more than fifty years old are still worth visiting? We jump in, head first, just as we do with every show we mount...with faith and hope that its the right choice.
I cannot thank enough all the people that it takes to put on a show like this: actors, musicians, dancers, builders, artists, costumers, technicians and more. Our actors would be in the dark, naked, on a bare stage. Our techies would be building and moving furniture for no reason. I would be ranting like a lunatic in an empty auditorium (not that it hasn’t happened). The community we create is second to none, and my sincere hope is that every single student that has touched this production knows how valuable their contribution is. Sitting in the audience, whether your child is an actor, works backstage, has long ago built and painted the set or is running the lights and sound, makes you an important part of our community.
A great big thanks goes out to the hardest working parent organization: Parents for Drama. They do so many things for the drama club which frees up the creative team to focus mainly on the students and production. Please consider stepping up and becoming an active force in this organization, the Drama Club can flourish when you do.
Love and thanks goes to all of my colleagues that work so diligently alongside me and for the students: Mike Doherty, Phaedre Sassano, Alysia Campbell, Ryan Eschauzier, Brian Faherty, Liz Tronni, Mauren Fish and Derelyn Kahler. I also want to send a welcoming introduction to our newest member of the team, Christopher Landis. When we all put our “hands in here” we create wonder.
On behalf of all the students in the cast, the orchestra and all the tech crews – thank you for you support and well wishes. Enjoy the show!
Anita Levy-Sisk
Director
