Director's Notes
Each year, as I sit to write these Director’s Notes, I am more and more swept away by the power of community. The cast, crew, production staff, and our many community volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring this story to life for you amidst laughter, excitement, and the pure joy of working together. I am honored to be a part of this organization, one that truly belongs to the community.
We are all thrilled to be presenting Beauty and the Beast through Masterworx Community Theater. My appreciation for the expertise this community offers, and the talents that differ greatly from what I have to give, knows no bounds. You trust me to weave the fabric together that is Masterworx and provide the support necessary to keep the fabric strong. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To my cast and crew!!! I have loved this experience, and I am humbled at the outpouring of support, time, and talents you have brought to this production. Thank you for your commitment to what you love. Special thanks to the multiple families represented on our stage. In our finale, we have placed our “family units” together so you can see how many are represented. It is truly a beautiful sight to see.
I would like to personally recognize our corporate sponsors Nadine Blakely with REMAX, and Keith Johnson and Josh Allen with PRIORITY ONE. Without your support and that of all our advertisers in this program, this show would not have been possible. Please know how much we value and appreciate all you do to make Masterworx and community theater possible. Thank you!
Beauty and the Beast is a play about transformation. Masterworx is about transformation as well. Two months ago we started with a blank stage, a cast of sixty-five people, a group of community artists, families, stage technicians, and a vision of how we could bring this story to life. Together, we have experienced the wonder of transformation as we worked to bring this “tale as old as time” to the stage. We hope that you, too, are transformed by what you see, to dream a little harder, believe a little more, and to recognize the beauty that is found within, in yourself and others.
“Love each other as I have loved you” John 15:12
Thank you for your support of Masterworx and the power of community. We are very grateful you are here and hope you enjoy our retelling of this timeless tale.
And now, we invite you to relax, pull up a chair, as the cast proudly presents, BEAUTY and the BEAST.
Michelle Velastegui
Director / Co-founder
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Larry Hart, Heritage High School
Dawn Peterson, Studio M
Michelle Thomas, Forest Dance Academy
Brooke Faile
David Garrett
Mark Howieson, LU Theater
Academy Center of the Arts
Jeff Wittman, University of Lynchburg
Jason Schonfelder, Thomas Road Baptist Church
Johnathan Robertson
