Although Annie is set in 1933 during the poverty-stricken days of the Great Depression, the original author wrote the musical in 1977 in response to the dark hopelessness of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.
As a nation, we are currently experiencing some fairly dark days- stark divisions, an economic downturn, joblessness, homelessness… The world is looking on as we fight, bully and belittle each other. Our country’s enemies, both within and without, seem vast, dangerous and insidious.
Annie’s brand of infectious optimism and never-quit spirit arrived during the scandalous dark days of the 70’s, and she continues to bring her message of hope today- the certainty that no matter how bad it seems, things can and will get better.
I think we can all learn a thing or two from Annie. We can all be a little kinder to each other, and we can dare to be hopeful and optimistic because the sun WILL come out tomorrow. It really is only a day away.
Rebecca Sirevaag
Stage Director
Thank you all so much for joining us tonight! What a joy this production has been. We began the process in October of last year with three days of auditions and callbacks. Once the cast list was posted we went straight to work on music and building a community. A month went by and we dove right into the history of our show and the scene work. The holiday break gave us a bit of time off and gave the students time to work on memorization of the scrpit. When January came we were right back at it and hit the ground running with choreography. Somehow in the last month this stage has tranformed, the orchesrta tuned, the costumes shined, and the show has taken its true shape!
Working with Rebecca Sirevaag has been an absolute joy. As a new teacher this year, I was able to lean on her for guidance and gain so much more knowledge. I am so lucky to have someone to share this experience with and to create with! Katrina Nore, I'm so happy to be working with you on this show. It's a family business and I'm so lucky! Nancy Dreydoppel, what a full circle moment. Watching my mother work on her tenth show with NPHS has been a gift. She first started this journey as Stage Manager in my Junior year here for Guys and Dolls. Now ten years later, I'm directing instead of acting and there she is holding the show up beind the curtain. I'm a lucky daughter. Watching Theresa Reed's brillance from the perspective of a director has been so inspiring. I am so thankful for her dedication and quality work, this show would not shine without her! Chris Beks, or life saver, I should say, and his son Mathijs Beks stepped up and built the entire set with four hands. What a team, we owe them a break now. Deirdre Sagers, the newbie that I am had so many questions and random ideas. Without you this curtain would not rise, literally. Thank you for your many, many hours of work. I have learned so much from you and am so grateful to be working with you! Josh Bennett, your skill and attention to detail is the stuff of ledgend. Thank you for helping this show be a success and making us sound good! Sharon Freeman, even dispite knee surgeries you came and worked tirelessly on this show. I am so thankfull for you and all the time spent, your support and strength has not gone unnoticed. Sadly, there are more people I don't have room to shout out here, but one thank you that needs to be said is Bruce Hanson. I am taking what you said and did as my teacher on this very stage and I am running with it. This shows sucess is largely because of you, thank you. You will never know just how much you've inspired me and encouraged me to do and be my best. Now I get to try to do the same for my students.
Now, the very reason we are all here and sitting in these seats, the cast. I am overwhelmed with love and pride for each and every one of you. I have seen you all grow in different ways and reach new heights as performers and people. This show has been the most rewarding experience. Thank you for trusting me and letting me yap at you so much. I have learned so much from you all and can't wait to continue creating quality art together. You all have made this first directing experince one I will never forget. Now places, heard?
Jenna Dreydoppel
Stage and Vocal Director
