Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Nyack Drama Clubs production of SMILE the Musical. We found this quirky musical over 16 years ago. I read it and decided that it was perfect for high school students and especially the group that we had in 2003. When it came to picking this years shows, I looked at the group of students I had and I felt that to revisit SMILE might be the best choice. After these last two months of rehearsal, I am so happy we made that choice!!! For many reasons;one, the students have breathed new life into this “broadway flop”, secondly the crew and production team have worked very hard to maintain the high level of production values that you have grown accustomed at Nyack High School and finally, this will be my last musical here at Nyack and I wanted a chance to direct this show one more time.
Yes, it is time for me to retire and move onto the next chapter in my life. I arrived here in January of 1999, I was hired to design the set and lighting for the production of INTO THE WQODS that was already in rehearsal and I have not left! I was asked the following spring, 2000, to direct the May production, that at the time, was another play. The following fall I was asked to continue on as the Drama Director.
I will honestly say that my time spent here at Nyack High School has been some of the most challenging, stressful, but overall rewarding things that I have ever done in my entire life. The sense of community and dedication to the arts that is present here is amazing and I thank you all for your never ending support. I have been truly blessed.
I would like to thank a few people that without their help throughout the years none of my work would have been possible.
To the Administraiton and Staff: Lucy Pichardo, Nicole Saeiva and Dr. Jim Montesano, thank you for understanding ME. Enough said.
To my Producers and Co Adivsors Jon Corbin, Deb Alter, Simona Moldavon, Lisa Demarest, and last but not least Kathy Tappenden, thank you for always being there to assist me in dealing with the daily school life of the students and all the paperwork to make this club run.
To my Technical Directors: Paul Carbone, David Aguasca, Kyle Bridwell, Allanna Guazza, Meg Anderson and Ross Dailey these unsung heroes who take a scribble on a napkin and understand the jibberish I tell them and they create the magnificent sets out of “found “ objects.
To my Costume Designers: Liz Prince, Maria Castaldo, Janet Fenton, Tom Beck, Neil Schleifer and Tommy Kramer. Thank you for always being mindful of the delicate young minds that you were transforming with your costumes and always working hard to follow through with my vision.
To my Sound Designer, and there is only one listed because he has worked diligently with me here since I started way back when, Bryan McPartlan, thank you for always “listening” to me. Thank you for teaching your craft to the students and sending them on career paths. Oh and THANKS Aniessa Sencen!!!
To my Lighting Designers: Paul Carbone, Bradley Clements and David Pentz, thank you for creating the ambience and beauty that always helped to tell the story.
