DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Good evening, everybody!

Welcome to Disney's Aladdin Jr., a tale about a "diamond in the rough" street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within. I am so excited that y'all are here, and I cannot wait for you to enter into the City of Agrabah where magic carpets exist and where there may just be a genie waiting to grant you three wishes!

When I began to brainstorm which show we would do this year, we were very limited in options because this amazing group of students is very boy heavy - which is very rare in the theater world! Aladdin popped up, and I knew it would be perfect for this group. I continue to be blown away by these students and what they have accomplished over the past few months. After a year of not singing because of COVID, our first music rehearsal was one for the books...it was definitely a workout to get their voices back in singing shape! It's hard to believe the night has finally arrived, and I hope you enjoy the show!

The eighth graders have worked tirelessly to get ready for tonight, overcome many hurdles, and risen to the challenge. It has been such a joy seeing each student take ownership of their role and bring each character to life. I am so proud of what they have to show you!

This show would never have been possible without the support and work of our community, and for each of you I am eternally grateful! Thank you to each of the parents who made sure their students were where they needed to be for each rehearsal and provided food and costume pieces.

Thank you to all the teachers that have been so generous and flexible with their schedules to make sure we got all our rehearsals in and stepped in to attend to each detail, small and large.

My immense gratitude goes out to the set team...Tiffany Rhoades, Gena Schleimer, Allie Foster, Lacey Pauley, and Hannah Myers who worked many days late into the night to put together this incredible set!

To Julie Starosta and Gena Schleimer, my assistant directors, thank you for walking with me every step of the way and being my sounding board for all my crazy ideas. This dream would have never come to life without y'all.

These amazing costumes were handmade by Debbi Schraeder and John Weber and boy, did they knock it out of the park! My eternal thanksgivings to the two of you for throwing every spare minute you had to making sure these costumes were extraordinary!

To Darin Hansen and Darin Astor, my greatest appreciation for turning the stage, lighting, and sound upside down to get it ready for this show! Gratitude goes out to Notre Dame de Sion High School AV Club for allowing us to borrow their microphones for the show.

And last, but not least, thank you to Father Bill and Jane Sullivan for their vision and support through all of this, and without whom, this event would not have been possible.

We are so blessed by each of you and grateful you are here tonight to support all the students and their hard work. We hope you enjoy the show!

Through Mary,

Ms. Rachel Lackups

P.S. Keep your eyes peeled for an "easter egg" from our previous show, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr.