From the director...
So we all know it takes a community to be successful... to help us thrive... to support our endeavors... and this production has proven all the above to be truths! I have been blessed to work with truly talented young people for many years at Ola High School. This year has been no exception. These incredible students, whether on the stage, backstage, or in the pit, have outdone themselves with this production. They have taken an extremely difficult musical and made it come to life! Their voices, their music, their costumes, their make-up, their sets, and their passion are quite evident as soon as the Prologue begins! How is it that these young people are able to achieve such artistry? I believe it is their commitment to excellence and their love of the fine arts! What could be more beautiful than hearing their voices and the music from the orchestra float through the theater? Putting together the spring musical each year is a bittersweet experience for me... there never seems to be enough time and as years go by I seem to have less and less energy, but just as it feels too much, the kids pull it together and give incredible performances that leave me full of pride and full of tears... I know that I am so lucky to have a job that I love to do, but I will say again that I am so very blessed to have these brilliant young stars to work with and to be present in their extraordinary light!
From the producer...
It has been my honor to work with such great students and colleagues over the last 3 months. The experience of collaborating on a project of this magnitude has been priceless. I want to thank Ms. Cynthia for trusting me and allowing me to take on the task of producer. I hope I was to her what she has always been to me..... A breath of fresh air and the vision of something new and different. I was impressed to see many students take on leadership roles and execute their tasks with determination and grace while still attending to their academic obligations. Working with these young adults reminded me of why I love my job and why I work in this setting. The students’ passion and commitment to their craft is what has allowed this production to be a success. In the past, I have always been a passive audience participant. However, this year as I sit in the audience to enjoy this wonderful production, I’ll be thinking of all the laborious hours it took to make this happen. I’ll think of the students that are seniors with harmonious voices who have enchanted us for the last time as they pave their path towards their new endeavor.
