Dear Avalon Family,
Welcome back! We've had an incredible year and I am so glad to welcome you to this show!
We began a tradition of having a musical theatre class show in 2020, but lost this show due to the pandemic and then spent the next several years attempting to get back on our feet. Last year, we were overjoyed to bring "Six: Teen Edition" to the stage and this year, Xanadu, Jr! Xanadu is such a fun show, but I'll be honest, I knew nothing about it 14 months ago. My amazing Artistic Director came up with it because she wanted to roller skate, and I said ok. I am so glad I did! It has been a joy to create with our students and I hope you enjoy the show!
As always, there is an army of people to thank for helping get this production where it is now. Thank you to my amazing Artistic Director/Choreography/Pixie Dust, Sarah Anderson who the kids affectionally call "Bad Cop" for her ability to give notes and help block, character work and in general "pixie dust" this beautiful show. Thank you to Steve Carroll, who helps keep the rest of us grounded and helps our kids not cut off their fingers. We're so glad you decided to come back to us even after the rollercoaster of graduating your twins. I am glad to have your hairbrained schemes rattling through this place once again. Your evil laugh in the wings does haunt my nightmares. Thank you to my assistant director, Kira Simmons, who we gladly welcomed back this year (JCHS class of 2016!). It has been a joy to have you grace the stage again. Thanks for helping make this new generation even better. Thank you to the many theatre teachers and programs who advocated for many years to have funding for Theatre staff and the School Board for choosing to make it a reality. For most of my years at Champe, it was me, doing the jobs of 12 people and managing sometimes over 100 kids. Having a staff this year has changed my life and the lives of my kids in ways too numerous to count. Thank you to my Theatre Boosters for helping to revitalize this program and make it even better. Thank you to our Fine Arts Team and all their work helping make realities happen for kids in our programs. Thank you to our admin team for allowing us to do theatre and put up with all our weird requests. Thank you to my financial technician (for putting all those orders in). Thank you to our fine arts admin for continuing to push forward despite amazing obstacles. Thank you to my amazing family, especially my husband. I can't believe you decided to be the official Theatre "Dad" even when they attack you anytime you set foot on campus. Thank you to Dakota, our unofficial theatre mascot, for your cute smiles and drool. Thank you to our patrons for their financial support and finally, thank you to you. Without an audience, there is no show. Thanks for coming back and filling seats.
Sincerely,
Nicki Shepherd, Lead Director
