WARDSBORO — At the successful close of Leland & Gray's production of Footloose, the Players thank all those who made the experience possible.
At every show played to a packed - or overflowing - house, the crowds were treated to lively acting, singing, and dancing on stage. It is the efforts of those behind the scenes, however, that truly deserve recognition.
Distracting as all the passing neon and drastic hairstyles must have been, the set was yet another artistic success, combining the deeply Southern feel of exposed wood with the memory of eighties tiling on the dance floor.
This gigantic set stretched across the entire length of the main Dutton building, an impressive feat that would have been made impossible were it not for the help of able-bodied painters and carpenters, students, crew, and volunteers alike.
In those many rehearsals where the beat of steps and pop songs rang out, one often heard the scream of a circular saw in the background and a slew of willing parents constructing a place for their children to dance.
During the show, concealed behind a deceptively uninteresting black drape, a veritable hive thrummed with nerves, sweat, and hair spray.
For weeks prior, the “Drama Mamas,” as they called themselves, had slaved in the depths of the costume room with assistant director Abby Hadden, hunting for the perfect pieces of wonderfully, colorfully horrible eighties clothing.
Now, they waited backstage, armed with makeup brushes, bobby pins, and hair gel. Flying from cast member to cast member, they fought costume wrinkles and flat hair far and wide, proving themselves the unsung heroes of the production.
Not only that, but they also kept the cast healthy. During breaks between shows and intermissions, these dedicated moms constantly fed tired students and bombarded exhausted vocal cords with cough drops and tea.
In between our doubleheader on Saturday, we were provided an astonishing feast for dinner, and for a bone-tired dancing teenager, there is absolutely nothing more wondrous than a table laden with food.
Thanks also go to the many volunteers who publicized the show through posters, and assuredly to those who graciously greeted, took tickets, and sold baked goods and coffee at the door, while at the same time desperately looking for director Ann Landenberger to tell her that we would yet again need to sell standing-room positions. We are also grateful for the support of the ever-supportive local press who helped us publicize the production.
Finally, thanks go to the parents of the amazing group of kids who took on this show. Whether volunteering, donating baked goods, driving to innumerable rehearsals, or just raising some really talented children, you all were an essential aspect of this production, and we are so grateful for your help.
In sum, the stage presentation of Footloose - or any other production - is only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies an intricate network of families and volunteers, amateur PR representatives, and excellent cooks.
Within this web, we have cast and crew, students and teachers, both onstage and in the incredible audience beyond. We have a director who sends us e-mails at 4:30 a.m., and a disturbing number of parents who reply promptly at 6:00. We invent a stage, capture a story, and disappear mysteriously to leave the space a gym once more.
We are dedicated, creative, determined to entertain, and at the close of a show we are a family.
Thank you, Leland & Gray Players; we've done it again!