The first show I directed at South Side, in 2002, was Pippin, which begins with the song “Magic to Do.” It is appropriate that I end my tenure here with a show that is also about magic.
Matilda is also about creating your own destiny, standing up to tyrants, turning pain into power, and finding your family. Matilda finds solace in stories, until she is able to manifest her desires in the real world. Sometimes, making great change takes a little bit of magic, but more often it takes a little bit of bravery, a little bit of grit, a whole lot of heart and a community that supports you.
“Theatre Magic” is a phrase that theatre folk use to indicate that special thing that happens when a show looks as if it will never come together, and then opening night comes, the audience arrives, the crew is at the ready, the pit plays the first notes, the cast walks out on stage and…magic.
Of course, creating theatre takes much more than magic. We arrive at opening night after months of dedication, hard work, creativity, focus, experimentation, personal commitment, and collaboration with like-minded practitioners. I have been so blessed to have had a career working with incredibly dedicated artists who strive to create high level professional theatre. I want to thank the amazing set designers, costume designers, lighting designers, music directors, conductors, stage managers, crew and actors with whom it has been my privilege to collaborate. Thanks to my current team: Doreen Fryling, Katie Mark, Brian Remy, Chris Barker, Charli Burkhardt, Emma Wills-Umdenstock, Chris D'Ambrosio, Rachel Blackburn and Dana McDonald for your professionalism and passion. Thank you for going with me on this journey, for maintaining the highest levels of your craft and for the generosity with which you share your skills with me and the students. As I reflect on my time working with these artists, I must acknowledge and pay tribute to my first great collaborator at South Side, Russ Reid, who never said no, no matter how impossible the vision, and who has had a lasting impact on this theatre program.
I want to thank the South Side High school staff and administration, the wider Rockville Centre community and all the audiences that have supported us through the years.
