Sarah and Keith would like to extend a special thank you to:
Tina Greenfield…the mom of Open Fields, from the first rehearsal to the final bow, watching with a smile on your face from your spot on stage right. Your dedication to Keith and your vision for the kids of Open Fields has shone for 25+ years, and each generation is so lucky to know your warmth, kindness, and generosity. Your care and endless devotion are a quiet force at the center of this community, and the impact of your love will echo through the children of Open Fields for many years to come.
Emily Rivera and Sadie Vaughn…our dynamic duo, welcome home! What an absolute gift to have you back in rehearsals, bringing your directing talents, love of Seussical, and giant hearts that will do anything for the kids of Open Fields. You infuse our rehearsal room with joy, warmth, and lots of laughter, and make every moment lighter just by being yourselves. Your brilliance is matched only by your kindness, and the care you show for this community is felt by every child who gets to learn from you - whether it’s Sadie or Emily or Sadie and Emily. Above all, you teach us all “what it means to be a friend.” We are endlessly lucky, deeply grateful, and so happy to have you both back where you belong.
Dan Snape…we are forever grateful to Sarah and your girls for sharing "Dad" with us. You use your endless talents to make sure everyone around you shines and work miracles at the piano, especially with this year’s extra challenging score. To know that you are the leader of your church with many responsibilities and still keep your Open Fields family a priority is the greatest gift we could ask for. Thank you for your never-ending patience, gentle guidance, gentle reminders of how to lead with grace, and for making us all laugh with your endless puns.
Isabella Cruz…we truly could not have done this show without you. Your gifts as a teacher and musician shone so brightly at every rehearsal. There were so many nights we walked out of rehearsal saying, “Isabella is incredible!” We are so grateful you came back to your Open Fields family and shared your infectious sense of humor and beautiful talents with us every Sunday. You are forever a part of the Open Fields family!
Ilene Zatylny…our Queen Ilene. You promised us this isn’t goodbye, even as your last baby graduates from our stage, but we have to take a moment to acknowledge the 10+ years you have dedicated to Open Fields with endless love. No challenge has been too big, no phone call too last minute, and no LED-lit prop too impossible for you (and Dr. Pepper). You constantly put others before yourself - from that first “how can I help?” 10 years ago to the final memento each child will treasure long after our final curtain. There is no thank-you big enough for the hundreds of hours you and the Zatylny family have given, often out of the spotlight. The greatest testament to your heart is your three children, who so beautifully follow your lead. Ilene, Marko, Jake, Finn, and Harper - Open Fields is a better place because of the Zatylny family.
Rebecca Grimm…once again facing a show with no full-time music director, your generosity and gifts as a musician pulled us through. You lead with no need for the spotlight or recognition, dedicating hours outside of rehearsal to ensuring you were prepared for our cast, especially our Bird Girls! Your love for Open Fields and this cast is felt so deeply in every minute you give behind-the-scenes, whether it’s leading harmonies, finding moments to run a solo until they walk away feeling confident and proud, or keeping us organized. What you give lives in the spaces between the notes, in the confidence you help instill in our cast, and in the way your support holds the beautiful music of this show together, and we see and feel every minute.
Brenda Hagan…writing this thank you feels a bit overwhelming as there aren’t enough words to express how grateful we are for every minute you have dedicated to your Open Fields family. You hear each tiny cry of “help” (or long before we ever need to ask) and meet it with endless time, energy, and a “we can do this” attitude at every turn. Your handprint and heartprint are all over this show, and your love for each and every kid in this cast shines in the way you care and give so deeply, completely, and selflessly. Every person needs a Brenda in their life, and we are so lucky to have you in each of ours.
