From the Director:
Thanks to all of the fantastic parents and friends who helped make this another successful production for this deserving cast of "characters." It takes a village to sew, build, paint, shop, rehearse, drive, fundraise, chaperone, etc. Thanks for doing so willingly and lovingly.
Kim Drabik, Jean Doherty and Ada Grullon--thanks for going above and beyond always. As parents, drama volunteers, and especially as friends!
Special thanks to those who gave their time, even though they had no child in the cast. Jackie Barnett aided in maintaining our high standard for costumes for the 4th year. Lisa Taylor helped turn random wigs into Rapunzel's locks.
Thanks to my sweet neighbor, Samantha Pagter, for coming to stage manage our show. Sam brings 3 years of experience from working tech and stage managing at Lassiter High School.
So happy to have my babies,--Luke, Ben, and Jordan-- return to help backstage. Proud of you Luke Henderson, who as a sophomore is already claiming featured roles at Walton High's drama program and Jordan Milligan, who as a 7th grader snatched the feature role away from the 8th graders at Dickerson! Ben Drabik takes drama at Blessed Trinity and, I'm sure, will be featured in upcoming performances there!
Tearfully I say farewell and good luck to my "graduates": Ana Grullon, Ana Gonzalez, Shilpay Iyer, Mackenzie Clark, Makenzie Dixon, and Emma Dowdy. You have been junior directors, supportive cast members, and shining examples of our program. I send you on your way with prayers for beautiful high school careers, and hope you return often to visit or help. You will always be my "babies." I love you all. Keep Singing!
It is with particular pride and gratitude that I let my daughter, Emma, and my Dominican "daughter," Ana, leave the nest. You girls have been with me from my first show, when I was REALLY making it up as I went along. We learned, laughed, and sang A LOT together along the way. Ana--DO NOT STOP pursuing the arts--that is an order!
My husband and children--who went without clean clothes and ate a lot of pizza and doughnuts for an extended perioud--are the best in the world.
Mom (AKA Gamma)--thanks for always encouraging me to sing and dance as a child and even as an adult. Could not manage any of this without your near daily help and support. I love you!
Super grateful to the family at iTheatrics, creators of the Broadway JR musicals, for all of their support, advice, training, opportunities, and friendship. But more importantly--for what they do to change the lives of so many young people throughout the world.
Neeahtima Dowdy
