Wizard of Oz

By Cadie Walsh, "Ms. Donnally gave my friend Layne and I the opportunity to be assistant directors. Our jobs included managing crew members, building sets, and pretty much anything that Ms. Donnally didn't feel like doing herself. Several of my friends were part of the cast, and it was fun hanging out with people like Eisley, Kat, and Sage. Dad helped with special effects like fire, smoke, and wind. Without him, the show wouldn't have been been as engaging to the audience. My main job was running the projections that were on the backdrop, and sides of the theatre. Ranger was on the crew and it was a good sibling bonding experience for us. I decided to appoint Ranger assistant to the student director. After the show on Saturday, we hosted a small get together, and some of my friends came over. Olivia, Peyton, Emma, Sage, Eisley, Khloe, and Arden all stopped by at some point during the evening. Overall the show had lots of ups and downs, but it was a good way to make friends and get closer to Ranger."

I loved that Cadie and Ranger got to be in the crew together! Since Cadie was the Assistant Director, we had fun called Ranger the "Assistant to the Assistant Director." Ranger said he felt like there was a bit too much sitting around on the crew, but he did like it when his friends watched the play and noticed that he did a ton of the scene changes and they said he "carried" the crew. I hope someday that he will be in a play, but glad he dipped his toe in the water with crew.

I had a revision surgery on Thursday, and the play opened Thursday night. It made for a bit of a crazy weekend, but I was able to make it to the play on Saturday evening. DD and Big John took Colton to see it Thursday evening because he went to UP All Night on Saturday with Dan and Luke. On Saturday evening, Anna Crumpler (Youth minister), Joy, Nina & Papa, Preston, Hannah, Parker, and Eisley all came to cheer on Cadie and Ranger. It was such a great musical! I was especially impressed with the projections that even went onto the walls on the sides of the theater.

I had volunteered to chair the cast party which was scheduled for the Saturday after the play, April 29th. However, my grandfather passed away the week before and his funeral was on April 29th. Grant went to represent our family and it sounds like the Studio Movie Grill event with a special showing of The Wizard of Oz was a hit.

So proud of Cadie and Ranger!

Show recap note from the parent chairs, "From the bottom of our hearts--- we cannot let the day end without saying this show wouldn't have happened without your help and support. We surpassed all our projections on ticket sales, concession and fan mail. The crew and cast performed amazingly well and even Derby (live Toto) got in the spirit of the show and sang.

Thank you all for helping make OUR kids shine. Whether front stage or back stage its all about them. Thank you for following us down the yellow brick road.  Pics to come from our amazing photographer Carla.

Rachel and Margarita"