From Our Interim Artistic Director
Dear First Act Community,
Well, the cat's out of the bag! Our 2022-2023 Production Season is officially public knowledge. For those of you who were able to attend our Worship Night & Season Announcement Event on Sunday, May 1, thank you for reminding me the true value of this organization: the shows and classes and camps are great, but what makes First Act special is our faith-based community supporting and loving each other. It's truly unlike anywhere else!
This next season of shows brings some old favorites as well as some exciting new titles. You will also notice a few changes in how we've structured the season. The most obvious is the new categorization of our productions. All shows will either be labeled "Premiere Series" or "Family Series."
The Premiere Series shows will feature titles that might be a little more advanced or mature in content. I like to say that many shows we have done in the past might be categorized as "Premiere" in future seasons - shows like Les Miserables, Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc. Our goal in labeling certain shows as Premiere is two-fold: First, it gives us the opportunity to stretch our boundaries and pick new, exciting, and less standard shows. Two of our Premiere Series shows on the 22-23 season will feature smaller casts and will be presented in smaller theaters. And second, this allows us to be upfront with parents and families about some advanced or difficult material and topics covered in these shows. No show on our season will compromise First Act's core values, but I am a firm believer that by engaging with difficult topics through the lens of theater, and by doing it will full-knowledge of our faith-based and educational mission, we are able to give our students a safe and nurturing space to learn and understand a wider range of theater.
Our Family Series shows will be the classic titles you're used to, plus a few new ones. These will be the First Act productions you know and love - accessible for all ages, all audiences, and all families! And plenty of amazing singing, dancing, and acting that will leave you saying, "I can't believe that was a youth theatre production!"
I want to emphasize that ALL shows in our season offer something special - the "Series" labels are meant to help guide you as you decide what shows will be the best fit for your family. All 8 of these shows will still offer the same high quality production value you are used to from a First Act Show, and all 8 shows will be open to students ages 8-18. We will bring back staggered audition weekends, so no two shows will audition at the same time. And when I say there are no bad shows this season, I mean it! If I could work on the artistic team for all 8 shows, I would - these are some of my all time favorite titles in the repertoire!
The last and most important thing I want to emphasize is the theme for the 2022-2023 season: It's Possible! It was my goal to find a unifying thread for all 8 shows that would tie back to our faith-based mission and remind us of our beautiful Savior. This season's theme verse is Matthew 19:26: "But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With humans this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" In all our shows next year, you will find stories of people overcoming impossible odds (sometimes with the help of a Fairy Godmother or two...), finding strength beyond themselves, and learning how to believe and trust. We know as members of the Body of Christ that our power and abilities come from our Creator God. It's my prayer that in all we do during this upcoming season, we remember that when we love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul, when we love our neighbor as yourself, and when we trust in God's power and grace, God is ready to make the impossible possible!
It's Possible!
Patrick
