Notes from the Director...
Mamma Mia! Here we go again!
This show has been such a blast to work on! I am so proud of the team we assembled to create everything you are seeing. First and foremost, my production management team consists of Dragon Neal, Arushi Maheshwar, Rylee Stanton (Assistant Directors) and Ariana Tootoonchi and Chloe Mantle (Stage Managers). These 5 students have committed so fully to ensure our collective success on this production. These students helped to schedule the rehearsals, blocked and choreographed scenes, discussed design issues with the design team and coached and wrangled actors for what seemed like hours each day. I am so grateful for them and proud of their work.
Our Design Team has been magnificent to work with. Our Scenic Designer is one of the most talented minds I have worked with in the professional world. Cris Vaughan has been instrumental in designing the look for our sets and crafting them to bring life to the stage through the set. We have the pleasure of utilizing the brilliance of our Costume Designers, Jenny Garcia (retired SHS Science Teacher) and Kelly Nicholson (current SHS Science Teacher). Their meticulous planning and research has brought vibrance to the stage. Our Lighting Designers, Cosmo Warwick Cooper and Dragon Neal, have spent hours learning and trying all different possibilities to find the awesome design you see in this production. It has been really exciting to guide these young people in this production.
This message wouldn't be complete without mentioning our amazing Vocal Director and Choreographer and Choreography Assistants. Margie Alejandro has this profound talent in being able to see a person's vocal talent in an instant and know exactly how to bring them to their full potential. Pam East has a keen sense of creating a wonderful stage picture and brings the choreography to a level that is intense and dynamic for our performers and heightens their own potential. Our Assistant choreographers are Katie Berger and Mia Ouchida. These two dancers have proved that they are highly creative and tremendously talented.
This cast is stronger and more vibrant on the stage due to the efforts of all of these wonderful people. That being said, these performers have worked so incredibly hard to make this show all it can be. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the performers and crew of this show. It is such a special gift to work with students who care about producing a show with the highest quality and professionalism. These students are incredible and I am so fortunate to get to work with them. This has been a great deal of work and I am grateful that they have gone on this journey with me and the team.
Thank you for coming and supporting SHS Drama. We couldn't do this without you!
-Ben Brotzman
Special Thanks...
Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped to make this show possible and special thanks to Saratoga Theatre Arts Board!
We also thank the following groups & individuals for their support:
Greg Louie and the SHS Admin Team, Paul Weir and the SHS M&O Team, Marc Cooper, Dr. Ali Tootoonchi, Theresa and Brian Shab, Peninsula Youth Theater, Kelly Nicholson, Steve Garcia,
and Brittnie and Iris Brotzman.
