Big thanks to David Kelly and Marie Venters for yet again submitting their beautiful director notes as a blog. I love our shows, and I am grateful for the vision that compels them.
WILLY WONKA DIRECTOR’S NOTE
When I think of Wonka, I think of hope, honesty, and the ability to find the best in what you have.
I remember watching Willy Wonka as a child. I was amazed at Gene Wilder’s performance; showing the children his wondrous factory. I desperately wanted to eat that edible tea cup (I still do). Revisiting Wonka’s factory as an adult, I’ve spent much more time thinking about the Bucket Family.
As we worked through Charlie’s story, all I could think about was how much the Bucket family held on to the idea of Wonka’s factory. How every morsel of chocolate brought hope into their lives. The possibility of Wonka coming back, and what the opportunity to work for Wonka would do for Charlie. Charlie was the Bucket family’s hope; he was the purple ink they used to write their futures.
Even with the odds stacked against him, Charlie is able to find sweetness in the simplest of moments. It can be hard to find those moments in life, but it’s important to remember that nothing really starts out sweet. As we add sugar and cream to our morning coffee to help us get through the day, the Bucket Family adds sugar to the most bitter moments in their lives.
There has not been a dull moment working on this show. Even in the most stressful moments, it has been impossible not to laugh and smile because of our students. These students have truly embraced this show, and I am a better, more positive person because of them.
Ms. Venters
Director, Willy Wonka Jr.
ADDAMS FAMILY DIRECTOR’S NOTE
About a year ago, I did not know much about this musical. However, a dedicated group of drama students held musical-theatre-karaoke in my classroom over flex time and lunches. They slowly introduced me to some of the music in today’s show. I laughed (Death is Just Around the Corner for example) or cried (Happy, Sad always makes me tear up) as appropriate. In the context of the popularity of the Netflix series Wednesday, and after reviewing the audience vote last year, it was clear that The Addams Family was a good fit for our students and appealing to our audiences. It provided just enough challenge and opportunities for growth while also creating an entertaining piece of theatre.
Growing up in the theatre taught me many things about who I am. It developed my confidence and creativity; it challenged me to see the world in analytical and empathetic ways; it gave me a community to be part of. It is my goal to feature the same attributes in our St. Andrew’s theatre community. Nearly everything you see tonight has been made with and by the students. Hands-on experiential learning has been shown time-over-time to be more impactful and meaningful for learning development. From the sets, sounds, and lights, to the performances on the stage, students do it all. We empower our students to learn about the craft of theatre by creating it themselves.
That being said, this production would not have been possible without the support, collaboration, creativity, and leadership from Anna Johnson (Music Director), Catherine Bishop (Dance Director and Choreographer), and Hannah Williams-Inman (Assistant Choreographer). My endless thanks goes out to this dynamic team.
Tonight you have the privilege of hearing some of the top musical theatre artists in the state. Mattie Ellis (Morticia) and Rhen Tanaka (Wednesday) recently won first place in both the Mississippi Theatre Association DramaFest duo musical theatre category and at Thescon the International Theatre Association festival for Mississippi; they also performed in our Chapter Select production of Fin and Euba and were awarded as one of the top three Outstanding Plays at the state level festival. Ahmir Hoskins (Gomez) was also recognized with a ranking of Superior for his musical theatre performances at Thescon; in the solo musical theatre category Mattie Ellis was a finalist, and Rhen Tanaka was awarded first place in the state. Equally impressive, Maury Allin (lighting designer) and Richard Burrow (sound designer) were the only lighting and sound designers in the state to be awarded superior rankings at Thescon for their work for our fall productions of Murder on the Orient Express and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe respectively.
The drama program has also grown in the last year, congratulations go out to the recent middle school production of Willy Wonka Jr. – featuring students from the lower school as well as 50+ talented middle school students. For those of you in that age range, look for the specialty camps this summer. There are several drama opportunities for you. Today’s show also features two middle school students that have gone above and beyond to be a part of this high-school show, Suryia Christian and Elle Smith.
Today’s show, The Addams Family, starts with Wednesday Addams at the age of 18, now bringing a young man home to meet her very un-normal family for the first time, asking them for just “one normal night.” It features most of the beloved characters from the original series and introduces a new group of characters, the Ancestors. Driving the plot forward, Uncle Fester, locks the ancestors out of their home crypt – until love wins. Many thanks go to Catherine Bishop for leading the choreography and Anna Johnson for directing the music.I hope you enjoy today’s production and I look forward to producing many more shows at and with St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. On behalf of the entire cast, crew, and directors for this production, I thank you for your support.
David Orace Kelly
Producing Director, Addams Family