As I compose this directors letter two weeks before opening, the phrase "it takes a village" keeps running through my head. Reflecting on the myriad of people and organizations I need to thank, I realize that without the time, talent, and support of this community, the kids and I could never put together a production such as this.
Casting a show is never easy. This one was especially challenging because there are many male roles but few for females, just the opposite of our Drama Club demographic. I thank Jamie Buhyoff and Martha Paulson for sitting through two days of auditions and the agonizing hours of placing our talent in the best possible combination to create this amazing cast. I am indebted to Abigale Williams’ line coach, Becky Thacker for all her time spent running lines. In addition, I am grateful to the first time cast members who agreed to being pulled onto stage when they really only signed up to work backstage.
Thanks to stage dads Jeff Tipsword, Steve Walters, and Rick Bisson for recycling old set pieces and scrap wood to give us our wonderful set. What am I going to do after Aaron and Jay graduate in May? Thanks also to Marathon Community Theater for use of their props and costumes.
Our lovely playbill was a team effort. Sara Gonzales took all of the headshots and posted bios. Leslie Ryder, Cathy Walters, and Steve Walters proofed the copy. Fundraising duo Karen and Rick Bisson canvased the community selling ads, the funds from which pay for printing. I am thankful to the record number of advertisers this year! Shout out to Island Auto Repair for their donation.
I had the crazy notion that we should make the Puritan dresses that the girls wear on stage instead of purchasing them. It was crazy because underestimated the time that it would take to make each dress and overestimated the number of cast members that would be available for sewing party Fridays. Seamstresses Jamie Buhyoff, Cathy Walters, Shannon Pitchford, and Clara Williams came to the rescue. I couldn’t have done it without you!
In the weeks preceding every show, my mailbox is filled with deliveries from eBay and Amazon, but invariably, we need mainland shopping runs for specific rush purchases. Thank you Lisa Tipsword, Jamie Buhyoff, and Cathy Walters for being my mainland shoppers. And special thanks to MHS Bookkeeper Dawn Fenner who takes care of all the Purchase Orders, receipts, reimbursements, disbursements to vendors, and all of our banking.
My vision of customized theater dressing rooms is one step closer to becoming a reality because of Lili Senmartin and Home Depot who donated lockers. Thanks to Jeff Tipsword and Jay Walters for providing the muscle to get them into place and to George Wheeler for installing them.
Thank you to those who have chaperoned, fed the kids, sold tickets, manned the concession, or picked up donations from Publix including Stephanie Joy, Lisa Tipsword, Autumn Tipsword, Leslie Ryder, Anne Romance, Cathy Walters, Jodi Gonzales, Kristen Reed, Cami Holdinga, Zulma Perez. And to all the parents who donated concessions.
We are MARATHON STRONG!
Cast and crew, it has been a joy working with you. I am so proud of you all.
Break a leg everybody!
-Ms. Cox, Director
