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Musical Theatre Thanks

4 March 2021
Ms Edna Widenmaier, Director/Producer, Director of Arts
It is my privilege today that I can present two traditions that usually happen at the closing of the final show in the run of the musical, but as we wanted some live audience to be able to acknowledge the recipients, we decided to wait until this post-show assembly. 
 
If you read Jack NG’s latest blog article, A Pandemic Performance, he says that the cast and crew - all 63 of them - provided the inspiration for a performance absent the energy and sympatico of an audience. He also gives credit to the Creative Team and on behalf of the performers and crew, I would like, along with the Co-Captains Anthony B and Emilee N, and Grace P, Dance Captain and Hanno F, Captain of Theatre Production, to recognize their contribution to the success of the show. I would also like to recognize our Berkley bound Justin L for being selected to join the professional musicians in the pit.
 
We will begin or with two staff handers. Ms Nightingale has been making Brentwood performers glow on stage with her make-up artistry for 20 years, while Ms Sally Smith has designed and constructed costumes that are the envy of high school productions for the past 15 years.
 
New to our arts faculty, but so very inspirational with her patience and choreography, is Ms Amy Staples, while another newbie, Ms Kim Plough, and her team of 13 in Theatre Production, provided all of the incredible lighting, sound and technical support. Both the set designer, James O’Leary, and our voice coach, Ms Mandy Bryant, were not able to attend today and have been acknowledged earlier.
Finally, we recognize Mr Phil Newns who rose like Lazarus only weeks after heart surgery to take up his role as Music Director. It has been a personal inspiration to captain this talented and dedicated production team.
 
Secondly, on behalf of the team, I would like to acknowledge, with our Oscar trophies, our Musical Theatre Lifers - students who have chosen to be involved in our stage productions for at least three years. Their dedication and commitment meant giving up Sunday afternoons for three months for rehearsals. Their collective and individual responsibilities included leadership roles and the mentoring of newbies to the company. We are very grateful for their contributions.
Three of them - Grace P, Joshua H, and Jack NG - debuted on the Killy Stage in their Grade 8 year in the production of Willy Wonka, and then joined the company for West Side Story, Spamalot and this year’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat while Emilee N, and Anthony Burkinshaw were also named this year’s Musical Theatre Co-Captains.
 
It has been a remarkable journey to bring this show to performance but as the Director, I want to express my heart-felt thanks to the cast, crew and production team who came aboard the musical train this year and stayed true to the course until the final curtain.
 
Ms Edna Widenmaier, Director/Producer, Director of Arts


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