Director’s Note

Hello! Welcome to Leyden Community High School District 212’s production of And Hilarity Ensued (Pursued by a Bear). At times when the world feels dark, chaotic, and overwhelming I find myself turning to comedy as a means of finding solace in the day's absurdities. Laughter has the power to bring people together, and it reminds all of us that we can always find joy if we set our minds to it.

As this is my first foray into directing, I knew that I wanted to do something light, fun, and a little silly. I was hopeful that I would be able to contribute to a production full of laughter – something that students would look forward to at the end of the day. What nobody could have prepared me for, however, was the raw enthusiasm and energy that these students have brought since day one! These last few weeks have made me laugh harder than I have in quite a long time, and have rekindled a unique form of joy that had been missing since my own high school theatre days. I have a great deal of admiration and pride for this cast, and I want to thank them for all of the great memories that have been created. Seriously, you guys rock.

I also want to take this opportunity to extend a huge thank you for all of the support I have received from our district, our crew, and all of our theatre faculty and staff. This never would have been possible without all of the hard work and help that has been freely given by everyone involved with this production. This also would not be possible without you, our audience members! Without you, who would we be able to share all of these great moments with? Please enjoy the show and remember: no matter what is chasing you down in your life (even if it’s a bear), there is always a reason to laugh.