This time last year we were all living in a very different world. One we could never have foreseen. It was not long after having to accept the loss of normal that we all realized it would not be a matter of weeks or even months until our lives could resume to something familiar.
As we all clamored to navigate through paper goods and pasta shortages, we also needed our own time to comprehend the heartbreak happening around the world and in our hometown. For a moment in time, we were all forced to stop and then decide how to react.
As the school year approached, the thought of not doing theatre never occurred to me. I deemed theatre an essential activity to provide a creative outlet, a collaborative social experience, a positive distraction, and a cathartic tool that could help us all better handle our new normal. I am grateful that I have had an administration, production staff and parents that agreed with that philosophy and trusted in my ability to do so safely.
This year we did not lose one production of our usual programming. Our live streamed fall play, All In the Timing directed by Kevin slater, an original movie musical Senior Show written by WHS seniors Michael Biondo and Rachel Slater, our live streamed-from-home performances of Freeplay Improv Comedy directed by Heather DeLude and now our spring musical Working directed by Meredith Walker. Even though they didn’t look the same as years past and were not without their technical difficulties, they happened due to the perseverance of all the students, families and staff involved. Collectively, our productions involved over 125 students in performance, technical crew and musician roles.
Working was selected to be the spring musical for a variety of reasons. One of them being that many of the characters in the show have been recognized as essential workers this past year and well deserve a spotlight. Additionally, this revised version allowed us to incorporate the stories of several Wilton workers. These interviews not only shed light on their professions but also share their Wiltonian spirit and how together we are Wilton strong.
This year has been an extraordinary feat of overcoming adversity and coming together to make all these experiences possible. This musical would not have come to fruition without the incredible support and continued efforts by so many members of our community near and far. Which is why I am deeply humbled that Working is the first musical at WHS I have had the pleasure to produce.
Thank you all for believing theatre has an important place in our school and community culture. It is with the fullest heart that I am so proud to present to you the performances of Working.
Kathryn Luckstone
Artistic Director of Drama Production
