Final Director's Notes for 2007-2008

The theme for this evening’s Production, “Extraordinary”, is an appropriate adjective for the 2007-2008 season. Because this season was truly extraordinary, as are the students, parents, and volunteers of Rim Drama. We grew financially, with our new online box office. We grew technologically, with a new sound board, new fog machine, and many innovations that will allow us to do far more technically and also to train our students using the newest methods. We increased our profile on the mountain, drawing larger crowds and more sponsors than we have in years past. I want to thank Mary-Justine Lanyon at the Mountain News and Michael Neufeld at rimofhteworld.net for their tremendous support and assistance with publicity, amazing reviews, and spreading the word that our children are talented and our arts programs are worth supporting and attending. I also want to thank Arrowhead Arts Association for their support and generosity; we look forward to working with them more in the coming years. We could not have done the musical without them.
We increased our events and opportunities; thanks to Grandview Elementary school for including us in their “Meet the Masters” program, and to all the parents who supported a very expensive but very rewarding trip to the CA State Thespian Conference, where our students performed, attended workshops, stole extra desserts, and generally had a blast. We took twice as many students this year than last, and our students performed exceptionally. Congratulations to Heather Mitchell, Sarah Schallberger, Tom Snider, Lauren Kivlen, Madeline Goodwin, and Kelsey Zemanek for being chosen to perform in the CA All-State show, as well as Faith Mock, who finished 2nd in the State for Short Film Production. We also included more students in the program by double-casting two of the shows; we effectively doubled the number of students who were cast in our productions, and the infusion of new blood will really help build a bright future for this program. It has truly been a year of growth, success, and extraordinary talent and performance.
Most of all, we learned to be giants this year. The class of 2008 got off to a dubious start in Rim Drama. They were squirrelly, nervous, and awkward freshmen, and it has been a privilege to watch them mature, become confident, and learn to trust themselves. You truly are giants—don’t forget that, and never settle for less.
We started the season with “The Diary of Anne Frank”, a harsh and serious drama about survival, hope in the face of evil, and enduring love. This play meant a lot to me personally, as well as professionally, and I worried that these students may not grasp the enormity of it all. This show featured tough roles and tougher themes, but the cast and crew handled it beautifully; they rose to every challenge. “The Diary of Anne Frank” was hard work, well done.
“The Wizard of Oz” was just huge. There was nothing about the show that wasn’t enormous. As technically challenging as the show was, and I need to congratulate Dan, Jordan, Matt, and the rest of the crew for the flying balloon basket, the company never lost the magic and wonder of the show. We sold out three of the five performances, and I never heard one negative comment. I always say that we are so lucky that we have such talented and committed students here, but this was really an extraordinary display of acting, singing, dancing, and technical ability that I truly believe rivaled anything that professional theatres can produce. The future is bright for everyone who worked so hard to make “The Wizard of Oz” so tremendous.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” started as a theoretical design for my Master’s degree. And lesson one is: theoretical design is not the same as practical design! This was a hard show, but again, the company rose to the challenge. From the struggles with the columns to the challenge of Alicia’s amazing choreography, they delivered. I probably yelled more, pushed more, and balded more on this show than any other, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and extraordinary performances are the reward, for them and for us. After months of screaming, they all finally found the magic of that show, and I hope they will hold on to it for a long time.
In closing, I want to echo the thanks our officers gave to everyone who made this such an extraordinary year. Thanks to Dan, Karen, Alicia, Sue, Jerry, Dr. Byerly and Mr. Nygren, who really believe that there is value and education to be found in the theatre. Their support this year has been nothing short of miraculous.
I also want to thank our alumni. They volunteer, they teach, they make a really big mess, and they help to carry on the traditions, heritage, and legacy of Rim Drama. The glory years, the golden age, of Rim Drama are ongoing, because we are lucky enough to have the support of our past working with our present to ensure the brightest future. Your classmate, Megan Estada-Miller, who I know is here today, would be very proud that you are carrying on her legacy and her ethic. Rim Drama truly is a family, and I am so grateful and lucky to be a part of it.
Thank you also to the parents and families who make this all happen. We ask a lot of our students in terms of time and effort; we know that we call on students to dedicate themselves and sometimes that means compromising precious time. Thank you for letting us keep them up late, stress them out, throw them up under the lights in front of everyone (often in questionable costumes) and push them beyond their self-imposed limits. You can have them back now; enjoy them this summer, cause come September, they’re mine again!
Finally, thank you, students, especially the class of 2008. Your trust and passion continue to inspire me. Thank you for believing in yourselves and trusting yourselves. Thank you for the laughter, the breakthroughs, the mistakes, and the tears. Thank you for the snorting, the Honk, the Sharpened Hooves, the triangle tots, and the Kelsey Zemanek slow-motion chair collapse. Thank you for the long workdays, the amazing performances, and the eternal memories. You are in my heart forever.
And with that, I officially close the 2007-2008 Season. Congratulations. Bravo.