Note from the President/Director
As I get ready to graduate this semester, I can't help but look back at my time at Lamplighters NYU. I first heard of Lamplighters back in 2019, when I saw their production of Beauty and the Beast. Then in the Spring of 2020, I was cast in our production of Seussical, which unfortunately never made it in front of an audience due to the pandemic. Since then, I have worked as a Producer and am now President of Lamplighters. Last semester during our production, I focused on how to grow our organization. After halting production for almost 3 years, it was a daunting task, having to find ways in which we could get Lamplighters back on track. Today, we are proud to say that we were able to rebuild our entire Executive Board, sell out our shows in the Fall, and now onboard 35 new members for this production. To say that in the past 8 months, Lamplighters NYU has grown, is an understatement. Therefore, feeling confident with how my team and I have been working hard to keep Lamplighters at a steady incline, there was another question this semester that remained at the forefront of all my work, how can we recenter joy? Our mission statement focuses on creating theatre and experiences for young audiences through an accessible, diverse, and inclusive lens while simultaneously assuring that all those who come in contact with Lamplighters feel safe, seen, and valued. What I therefore believe, is that a direct result of prioritizing these values that are true and dear to this organization is ultimately joy. There is joy in safe spaces. Joy in self-expression through theatre and the arts. Joy in the community that is found in rehearsals and in audiences. Joy in the music, dances, costumes, props, sets, makeup, et cetera. Both in witnessing it and creating it. Therefore, that is what I hope today’s performance brings you. The Eras of Broadway: A Lamplighters NYU History of Broadway Collective is an educational journey through some of Broadway's most influential musicals and songs. Our hope is that you not only learn something new about one of the most magical components of theatre but that you enjoy your time in our audience. This collective and entire production was made with incredible amounts of laughter, excitement, joy, and love. It is time to get back to the transformative magic of theatre and though my time with Lamplighters NYU is coming to an end, I could not be more honored to have been part of something so special. We truly hope you enjoy our show and we cannot wait to have you rejoin the Lamplighters NYU community.
All the best,
Laura Amancha Negrete
Lamplighters NYU President
