Thank you to everyone who helped me bring this script to life. From Strauss Board members, to my closest friends encouraging me during hard nights after practice, I truly have the best people in my life. To be entrusted with such a special show means so much to me. I still can’t believe that I am able to have my directorial debut with THIS script.
Steel Magnolias is a core memory for me. I grew up in a family of very strong, independent women who raised me and my sisters to feel empowered by our own gifts and abilities and to give 100% (and arguably more) every time. I want to dedicate this production to them, to the Ouiser, M’Lynn, and Clairee in my life who have loved me unconditionally and who “brought me up right”. Thank you.
Thank you, Monika and Matthew, for being my cheerleaders beside me when I would doubt myself or feel lost. Monika, I loved not having to be the “organizer of all things” during this show. It helped me be able to really flex my artistic muscle and be a little less left-brained than normal. Matthew, you have been an amazing friend and Assistant Director. I could not have asked for a better mind to compliment mine and I think we kind of knocked it out of the park with this one.
Thank you Keith Beard and Steve Knott for helping me build the set of my dreams. Keith always complains about my crazy ideas and well-thought-out-no-input-needed-from-him set ideas but I think we make a pretty good team. He always ends up making my ideas even better.
Thank you!
-Emily-
