Tonight I stepped onto the boards at the end of the evening, and slowly moved to the line of the proscenium. For a few moments, I once again stood on our darkened stage, stared into the blackness, took a deep breath and marveled at the loudness of the silence. A few short hours ago this very same stage was awash with color and hope and laughter. The shoulder to shoulder crowd roared in delight and stayed well after the final bow to snap memories for scrap books and conversations. And before the new ink on autographs had dried, the whir of screw guns began to pepper and punctuate conversations as the walls of another fantasy world began to come down. As I looked into the darkness it was as if a movie was being played. Was it really just ten moons ago that the crowd roared with pleasure as we opened our new season with a difficult challenge? A challenge that was met and greeted with a passion. It was a challenge that opened eyes and hearts. It was a spirit carried forward. Now, ten closing nights later, the visage ends. Another deep breath, a quick nod of the head, and the journey will begin again. As I latch the back door and head for my car, I once again am humbled as I think of the efforts and talents of hundreds of people who through the giving of themselves, have endeavored to ensure the success and quality of each production, just as did those who came before them. This year has been a challenge. This year has also been fulfilling. One of the greatest rewards I have received all year was to see small children grinning from ear to ear as their parents took their pictures in front of an inflatable Shrek. And then, to hear out of the rare momentary silence of the audience, the laugh and giggle of a small child as they watched in wide eyed wonder a magical world unfold. Tomorrow brings the dawn of a new season. Good Night my friends. It was your talents and labors that made this season special. You gave your all. You created the opportunity for thousands of people to forget their day and to enjoy your collective work. But most important of all is that which is best represented by that small giggling child. You have allowed people to laugh, and to cry. And for that, I thank you.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 09:27:30 +0000
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