Director's Note:
It has been quite a whirlwind year for our Performing Arts department here at Linganore, and this show is truly the culmination of it all. From traveling to a fictional town in Maine this past fall to experience and discover love and loss, to actually traveling to Walt Disney World as a theatre group for a week-long field trip, the students and I have been through a lot together. When I chose to do Beauty and the Beast a year ago, I only barely knew what was in store for us. Of course, I had a good knowledge of the show itself. I only need to fondly recall my own senior year at Governor Thomas Johnson High School and reminisce about my experience as Villager #2/Napkin #4 (still my favorite role to date, if I'm being honest). But I had no idea what a "beast" of a show this would be, excuse my pun. From the expensive costumes and cutlery, to the massive set pieces, to the elaborate dance numbers, all totalling countless hours of effort to refine. I won't lie and say I've been sleeping eight hours a night since we posted the cast list. I can't help not worrying about the finely painted designs on the plates, or about where I'm ever going to find antlers for Gaston. I can't help not lying awake at night practicing the kick line in Be Our Guest. I try not to get a stress-induced headache trying to tally up how much wood I need to order for the set. Inevitably, though, I do all those things. Why? Because I care about my students immensely. I want to be a good enough director and choreographer for these young adults who show up at each rehearsal, eager and excited to learn all those kicks and turns. This business is about getting return customers; if I failed these students and gave them a lackluster show experience, why bother coming back? Theatre is a powerful tool; it brings people together for a common cause, uniting all involved to fight for each other to ensure success. Much like the camaraderie of a sports team, a cast bonds together and becomes a singular unit. And once again, after being a part of six wonderful shows in this department, these young people have proven why I love my job. I've come to terms with the fact that I will inevitably lose sleep for a few months during our run. But it all becomes worth it when we see the final product on the stage.
Again, without the help of a great many, I don't know where this show would have ended up. This year, we earned a wonderful new addition to our program with Dan Lake as our assistant director. Dan came into this hesitantly, and I daresay he didn't quite know what to expect. What we quickly learned about him was that he was perfect for the job. He has approached his role with the perfect combination of enthusiasm and sense of humor needed to survive the long hours and exhaustive tasks. Our student creative team members have been so wonderfully dedicated and hardworking: a million thanks to Kelly, Hanna, Beau, and Maggie. Also, a huge amount of thanks goes to Damon Dye, who has pushed our singers and pit performers to be their very best. I would be remiss if I didn't thank Kevin Lloyd, who is always willing to hear me out when I step in to his office for another question or request. And finally, I would not have survived these past few months without the help and support of my husband, who I'm sure is now just as sick of Home Depot and Michael's as I am. I could go on for a few more pages about all the people to thank, but I will end by thanking you as audience members for coming to support theatre in our schools. Enjoy the show!
--Angela Smithhisler
Assistant Director's Note:
It’s exciting to rediscover a “tale as old as time” with a creative team of directors, actors, crew, and musicians who are willing to find bright new life in each line of dialog and measure of music. Thanks and admiration go out to everyone for every bit of detailed choreography, every character-motivated expression, and every perfectly executed prop or set piece. The students have embraced this well-loved story and turned their enjoyment into shining performances. Thanks especially to: Angela Smithhisler for her profound vision and command of all elements of the show, and for including me in this incredible ride and teaching me whatever I was capable of learning; Damon Dye for piecing together such a layered score; Hanna Dufresne for expertly managing such a hardworking crew; Kelly Stouffer for her impressive direction of complicated dance numbers; and Beau Cameron and Maggie Clugston for their passion and massive time commitment to all parts of this show.
--Dan Lake
