The last time I directed a show in this auditorium, the current Seniors were in Eighth Grade! Given all we’ve been through these past four years, we need a good farce. Because, no matter how bleak life may feel – laughter from a well executed pratfall does much to heal our sorrow. Doesn’t matter how many times I see someone walk into a wall–I laugh every time.
The interesting fact is–farce and tragedy are related. Last year many of these actors were in The Outsiders–and one of the acting challenges for this production was learning how to take similar situations, (fights, lost love) and instead of feeling the tragedy, they learned to enjoy the absurdity of living. For in tragedy the characters are overtaken by life’s struggles, whereas farce teaches us how to overcome these challenges. Or as one of my professor’s said, “In tragedy everyone dies. In comedy they marry.”
There are a number of parents who gave Saturdays filled with warmth, ingenuity and creativity as parents and students came together to build props. They are: Anne, Cynthia, Danielle, Lesley, Matt, Peilin, Suekhee, Theresa. And a big thank you to Audrey deWhys for all her help in organizing parent volunteers and taking headshots for the program and Alison Sheehy for photographing the dress rehearsal–even though her youngest graduated a year ago. Proof that once you are part of our family you remain in our family.
There are no better colleagues than Gillian Husovsky and Phyllis Udice. When you choose collaborators, make sure you want to have lunch with them because you will spend a lot of time together. I'd be happy to spend lunch with Gillian and Phyllis everyday.
Finally, a huge thank you to the One Man Two Guvnors Company. They have kept me laughing from the first pratfall during auditions, to the end of rehearsal meeting with the crew. Us adults in the Hasting Theater Program–are so lucky to have these amazing people in our lives–both in and out of the rehearsal room.
~Rachel Wineberg
