playbill vip

Directors' Notes:

If you had asked me if we would get to the end of this production in July of this year, I would have thought you were crazy.  But by hard work and hand sanitizer, we are here and so proud of this show.  

Parents, Families and Loved ones of our cast and crew that sacrificed time to help your kiddo be a part of this crazy musical family, many many thanks.  

Huge Thank You to our own families:  Ray Wolff, Angie Wessel, Penni Pier, Shannon Hull, and Patty Vowels, and all the children and pets we may have neglected in the process of this assembly.  Thank you for putting up with our long nights, short tempers, highs, lows, and crashes. 

Thanks also go out to WSR Music Department and Masquers for their support of this program.  As well as our administration, janitorial staff and anyone else we may have inconvenienced on this virtual jaunt in New York City.  

You would not be viewing this production without Ronald Johnson, Lucas Wendland, and WSR Alumnus Ethan Pfaltzgraff from Knight Vision Films.  They have been a great guide through uncharted waters and worked with rookies with patience and grace.  Thanks also to Wartburg college, specifically the school of communication for sponsoring the time and talents of your students and staff. Go Knights!

Covid did deliver us one blessing.  WSR Alumna Emma Rathe, currently studying Acting at the New School In New York City, but currently, home for covid shared her wisdom in stage fighting and falling safely.  This would not have happened any other year, so Emma I'm sorry you're home, but thank you so much for sharing your time and talents with some rookies! 

I'd like to take a moment to thank each of the adults who gave up their time and gave of their talent to make this production a huge success.  Jim Vowels, John Atkinson, Samantha Niles, and Sherri Niles - I would not be doing this without you.  You know this.  It takes a village and I'm so glad you're in mine.  

Mr. Wessel, through blood (almost literally), sweat (quite literally), and tears we made it through this production.  Thank you for accepting my challenge of taking on the role of Governor Roosevelt.  It was a pure joy seeing you on stage with your boys.  What a senior show!

I continually say throughout this production "Wash your hands, drink your water, get good sleep, remember you're a student first and I love you."  And I do love everybody involved in this production and I wouldn't want to be going through it with anyone else.  

mrs. r