In 1995, I had my first opportunity to step foot on the Municipal Auditorium stage, perform my first jazz square, and watch the curtain go up on my very first DWS spring musical. For six years, the spring musical turned all my world into a stage. I learned under Susan Farkas who had the foresight and drive to know that Deerfield needed the spring musical as a home for those who had not found their place anywhere else - "Townspeople" like me.
When Mrs. Farkas passed away, my own mother took over the musical, nurturing it and continuing to cultivate it into something students still wanted to be a part of. I had the privilege to work side by side with my mom, which some days worked better than others (we are a lot alike, but don't tell her I said so), and learn from another passionately creative, strong woman. We made a great team, and I was perfectly content taking the "Supporting Role" and letting her take charge.
However, mom decided Shrek made a really good "high note," and she retired last year, leaving me to pick up the director's script and try to figure out how I could ever follow in the giant footsteps left by both Mrs. Farkas and her. While she was right there with me for a good portion of this process (I really only let her THINK she had retired), I have truly begun to see how much goes into planning this show, many steps I never even realized she was taking before to fulfill that "Leading Role."
The old saying goes, "It takes a village..." and that couldn't be more true when it comes to the spring musical. So many members of the faculty and staff, parents, volunteers, and friends help to make this show a reality. Specifically, I would like to thank my mom and dad, Dianne and Bill Giddens. They are both retired, but I just won't let them quit (and honestly, they wouldn't have it any other way). I also want to express my deep gratitude to Casey Perkins, Laura Goode, Dot Knepp, Milli Sample, Marie Knight, Lynn Williams, Jennifer Ricks, Beth Collier, Karen Richter, April Daughtry, and Kelli Roberts for assorted dancing, music teaching, business managing, stage crew wrangling, prop gathering, ticket selling, cast party planning, costume unpacking, security watching, and show promoting. In addition, I must thank our parents, grandparents, friends, and family for making sure students get to rehearsals and for supporting what we are trying to do with this program. Some of these people often go without the recognition they deserve, but the show could not come together every year without the help of all of these "Villagers."
Most importantly, I must express my gratitude, admiration, and love to my wonderful cast and crew. The cast began in January, and for the past four months, they have worked tirelessly to learn lines, dances, and songs to put on the best show they can for their audiences. They do this on top of playing sports, rehearsing for literary events, and keeping up their schoolwork. We ask a lot of them every year, and they never disappoint. To my seniors, especially, you will be so greatly missed. Whenever one of our actors leaves us, a space becomes empty, but I have no doubt you will soon be lighting up your own next stages.
Finally, thank you to the faculty and staff of DWS for supporting our performing arts program and allowing us to keep doing what we do. And as always, I must express our gratitude to the staff of the Municipal Auditorium. Thank you for always letting us come home.
Now, on the twentieth anniversary of MY first Deerfield Windsor spring musical, I have the absolute honor to present All Shook Up, not as "Townsperson number forty-two," but as a first-time spring musical director. I am so excited to watch those who are experiencing their first moments on stage and those who have been with us for years, as I hope you are, also. Enjoy the music, laugh with the story, and be amazed at what these students have accomplished.
By the end, we hope you are just a little bit shaken (but not stirred) up, and for joining us, we would just like to say, "Thank ya. Thank ya very much."
Lindsey Stewart
Director
