"Act like you have confidence, and pretty soon you will."
Frank Abignale, Jr., Catch Me If You Can
Act 2, Scene 2
If there was ever a time when calm, cool, collected, and confident were skills to have, it would be now. Building a theatrical world in a time when our outside world is so challenging and chaotic should be a struggle beyond compare. But as you'll see, the students of Palmyra Theatre have more than risen to the challenge.
When we picked a show based on the real life Frank Abignale, Jr., a 16-year-old con man looking to escape his chaotic life, I never expected we'd have so much in common with him. Troubled by the chaos and lack of control in his own life, he creates a world based on observation, nimble movement, and quick thinking. Together, the company of Catch Me if You Can have spent the last several months doing just that, as they build their own 1960s escape world.
Catch Me If You Can illustrates the racing mind of a teenager dealing with big problems. In front of you are a community of young individuals working each day to learn the invaluable theatrical skills of listening, collaboration, text investigation, and psychological character analysis, all while continually practicing consistent Covid-19 protocols. I may never forget our first rehearsal in January. The students filed in so orderly, took socially distanced seats, opened their scripts, and expressed the complete and utter joy to just be in "their" place. When we moved the show dates due to snow (yes, who would have thought weather would be our downer!), there wasn't one complaint. In fact, I have a folder filled with parent messages thanking me and the production staff for giving extra time to provide more "normalcy," more "space doing what they love," more of "what motivates my child to go to school," and more of "just what my kid needs right now."
The support and friendships that grow from these teenage experiences last for lifetimes. I can tell you that first hand. I have known Choreographer Kristin Foltz Petrou since I was 12. In fact, I met her when I was working backstage and she was performing. Throughout this challenging season, she kept me focused on one saying, "Expect Great Things!" And she was right. On long days of worry and work, I did just that, and it got me through the longest season of my life. And let me tell you, you're about to see Great Things!
While Frank Abignale, Jr.’s real life, the movie of his accounts, and this musical adaptation have some plot differences, they all share one major theme. You can’t get very far in life without depending on the support of others. Frank’s adventures lead him all around the world, only to find the one he needs in the least likely of places—right in front of his face.
I'm asked all the time how I do what I do. But it isn't me. When I started working with Palmyra's theatre program, Mac McCrumb asked me about building the new team. I told him that I loved to work with my favorite people—the ones with passion and dedication to community. The ones who support each other and build each other up. The ones who will always be there not just for me, but also for the students with whom I have the privilege of working.
So, you want an incredible program like this one? Find yourself dedicated alumni like Matt Smoluk, Noah McClure, Taylor Swisher, Tori Gaffey, Rosemary Bucher (straight from NYC!), and Dustin Foreman (supporting us 100% remotely from Florida through the wonder of technology!). Find yourself inspiring partners like Kevin Gane, Kristin Petrou, Codey Fickes, and Mary Manning. Surround yourself with creative problem solvers like Derek Ulrich, Shila Ulrich, Greg Griffie, Shawn Seabold, Sandi Brettler, and Lori Yaw. But most of all, surround yourself with the best of friends. These incredible people know their craft and skill, and they generously share them. But they are the funniest, smartest, wittiest, most delightful people I’ve ever met. With my supportive family, these ARE my favorite people, and I could never thank them enough. So when you see them, please help me by sharing some words of thanks.
Now, in the words of Carl Hanratty, “Stop your sobbing, kid!”
Jasmine Bucher,
Director & Executive Producer
