Directors always say that doing a classic is important for every theater student's development, and I agree. This show is beautiful and full of life, and I know that is what you will experience as the students take the stage for you this weekend. They have learned a great deal about the history of this musical and how it plays into the grand scheme of what we call musical theater. The students have built a set that takes many of the elements of early Americana and use those to tell the story. What directors don't say is that doing a classic is just plain hard. At times, you may hear words or ideas that give you pause as you contemplate what that meant in the early 1900s. We have tackled those issues head-on and come to a greater depth in our understanding of the human condition and how people are not perfect and the communities they form are supportive and divisive at the same time.
Putting this show together fell on many shoulders and we couldn't be more grateful. To our students who have learned the meaning of flexible, as the first full rehearsal with everyone on stage was Tuesday night, you are truly wonderfu, talented and busy people. It is a privilege to get to come and work with you each day.
To our school community, your support means everything. From administration to teachers to our building staff, you keep us grounded and learning and looking good too.
To our families and friends, I can't say enough about the tremendous support that you give every day. Your students make this program what it is, and that wouldn't happen without your support.
To Farmhouse Catering and Hetzler and Rhodes for their financial contributions.
To Suzanne Thacker for her amazing talent and help with all our art work on the mural and the set. You and your artistic student helpers have brought the backdrop of the show to life.
To Mason McGaffin for the sheet metal in Judd's smokehouse
To the Phipps family for the various set pieces that have made our set more authentic than we ever dreamed it could be.
To Dr. Sherrie, we all knew you were a talented vet, but your work on our costumes is the only way all of our actors have clothes on.
To the Kramers for the table tents and posters that are so professional, and kudos again to Gabe for his graphic work. We have never looked so good.
To the Mumm family for donating the surrey, the windmill, and other tools.
To the Clems for the saddle that Curly so proudly owns, for now.
To Jessie McGaffin for being our photographer and coming in when we need her.
To the Engstroms, Tracie has coordinated all our parents and made my life so much easier in the process and Fred has helped us with cable and sound repair.
I am sure I am missing some. It is not intentional but much appreciated.
And mostly, to our director team. Mr. Erickson, your design expertise and your willingness to bring us pieces of your family farm have brought this show to life. We benefit from your constant quest for ways to make our show better every day. Our very talented Mrs. Dumbaugh, our vocals have never been this good because of your hard work. Miss Weber, you make us look so good whether we are on script or off. We couldn't do it without you. Mrs. Ott, your choreography is good for a group of students where 80% didn't know how to dance. Mrs. Sutton and Mrs. Keneally, we would not be this sharp or get the nuances in the script and the music as well without you. This show has stretched us in vision and on stage. The conversations have been deep and the students reap the benefits of such an amazingly talented group of professionals. I couldn't ask for a better group of colleagues and friends.
Being back on stage is a privilege, and every member of the Creative Team, cast, crew and tech knows that. Without the support of this amazing community we would not be here. It is Happy 10th Birthday this year to Josephine Tope Community Auditorium, and I can't wait to see where the next 10 years bring us.
Karen Niblock, Director
