Director's Notes

Director's Notes

I am extremely proud of this production. The quality of the cast, technical crew, costume crew, and sound crew are outstanding. A truly successful production involves more than what is presented on stage. It should not only be an artistic learning experience, but a personal one as well. I'm especially proud of the cooperation, mutual respect, the level of commitment, and the teamwork that has been demonstrated by everyone involved with this production. As we are moving back to a more traditional theatre experience it's been exciting to see each and every member of this company grow and learn together.

A special shout out and thank you to the Cast Production Assistants (Aidan Brennan, Sydney Hellwig, and Lucinda Lloyd). Their leadership and dedication to this production has been a huge part of the production process. Sydney is also our first Dance Captain PA. She worked with the cast throughout the process to help with choreography but also choreographed and directed three of the songs you are going to see tonight.

Please be sure to take a moment and silence your phones and other electronic devices. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Music Director's Notes

I would like to extend my thanks to the cast and crew of this production. It's an honor to work alongside such a dedicated and talented group of young people. I especially want to thank our cast PAs, Aidan, Lucinda, and Sydney. Their leadership along the way has really helped our cast develop the performance you are about to enjoy.

Tech Director's Notes

This production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat marks my 30th year as Wydown’s chief set designer and builder for our after school theater program. I am grateful to the hundreds of students, teachers and parents I’ve had the privilege of working with all these years, but I’m especially grateful for the unconditional support of my life partner and best friend, Lisa Kastner.

Lisa has served as our scenic and graphic artist for the last thirty years, volunteering her artistic skills and countless hours of Illustrator work creating incredible, show-stopping art for our performances. All of the art you see in this show, including the desert drop, sphinx head, statues, and projections were drawn and designed by Lisa for the students to reproduce on the stage.

She is the silent partner of our production team, never failing to rise to any challenge presented to her, whether it be to design a fairy-tale forest or reimagine yet another New York City skyline. The graphic style of artmaking she employs in her designs is the perfect fit for the varying painting skill levels of our students. Her ability to reduce a scene to the most essential elements and then render it in a way that recaptures its initial complexity when viewed from a distance is remarkable (to see proof of this, click here to view a small sampling of Lisa’s designs from past Wydown Theater Company productions.)

Thank you, Lisa, for all you’ve given to Wydown these last thirty years. You are appreciated and loved!

Additional Note:

I would like to dedicate my work on this show to my father, Edward R. Kastner. His unexpected passing in late December was a tragic blow to our family. He, along with my mother, Jeanne, have attended nearly every Wydown play and musical for the last thirty years. In 2009 his support for me and Wydown extended to volunteering his plumbing skills to make it rain on stage for our production of Singing in the Rain! He was an incredibly caring and supportive father and I will miss seeing him out in the audience, smiling his approval with all the other proud parents. Love you, Dad!

Costume Director's Notes

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with this group of creative, hardworking and fun young artists. Working with Costume Crew members to develop design and creation skills has revealed so much potential. I hope you enjoy the show and please join me in congratulating the cast and crew on a job well done!