Many famous writers have explored the question “what is the meaning of life”. However, no one has answered it better than Thornton Wilder in the American classic OUR TOWN. The play explores the milestones of birth, love, family, school, work and death. The stage manager serves as our guide through the fictional town of Grovers Corners, NH. However, OUR TOWN represents your town, your friends, your family and your life.
Tonight you will see the collaboration, teamwork, trust, and creative expression by a group of dynamic students. From our youngest performer to our most seasoned tech, each of them has learned that life is a series of moments. Each moment on the ladder of life is to be relished and learned from.
At Freedom High School, we set high expectations for our Fine Arts students, but we ask them to make memories along the way. Ones they can look back on as special milestones in their lives. Tonight is a milestone. We have created your town with our production of OUR TOWN and I could not be more proud of these student artists.
I want to express my most sincere appreciation and thanks to my fellow collaborators for their amazing abilities: Mr. Paul Meckel, Technical Director; Ms. Annie Rossman, Production Stage Manager and my fellow Fine Arts Teachers for their support of Freedom Theatre. The quality of this show would not be the same without each of you. Thank you for sharing, suggesting, and expressing your creativity throughout this entire process.
The students featured in tonight's performance are on loan from some of the best and most supportive parents I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. I want to thank them for raising such dedicated, loyal, and talented human beings. I am aware of the sacrifices you make and I only hope that I have been able to give something back to you and your children.
Finally, to the cast and crew of OUR TOWN: Thank you for allowing me to fulfill my dream of creating magic in the theatre. I am your biggest fan and thank you for your willingness to create a world that even Thornton Wilder would be proud of. I hope this journey will live long in your heart and never forget that “you have to love life to have life”! May all of your dreams come true in your life.
Jon Mark Rogers
