Congratulations to the cast, pit, and crew of the Musical this past weekend, on 3 stellar performances!  Social distancing could not stop all of you from putting your best feet forward and wowing us with your energy and talents!  Thank you to Mrs. Radin, Mr. Hoffman, and Mr. Rickmers for their work with our students.  Congratulations!

A note from the director...

After twenty-three years of teaching through budget cuts, national trage­dies, and superstorms, from inner city schools to the suburbs, 2020 was the most challenging. No amount of preparation and training could have prepared us for the havoc the coronavirus wreaked on our students, teach­ers, families, and schools.

As a teacher and theatre director that strives to develop each student's unique voice and values the creative process and collaboration as much as, if not more than, the final product, remote learning and the disconnec­tion it created was devastating to learning in the performance arts and to the spirit of my students. Our artistic students are special because they are sensitive, creative, and willing to take risks and the isolation created by remote learning was suffocating. Self-expression was muted and muzzled. Creativity stifled. Collaboration dismantled. Connections severed. Every­thing inspiring and empowering about the performance arts was crushed. Every theatre space around the world was shuttered.

Thankfully our brave principal and district administration supported our desire to produce live theatre. This year's production was chosen because we could perform it socially distant on stage, requiring no set changes, minimal props, a small safely distant pit, no costume changes, and since it was set in a school, we could easily build in the coronavirus protocols that have adorned our schools.

I have never been more proud of a cast, than this one. These kids chose to engage, perform, and stretch themselves to meet the demands of the time and not fold in the face of a challenge. On our first day of rehearsal, hear­ing them laugh and chat like teenagers should, was music to my ears. Then day after day, with their voices, bodies, and spirits, they made magic.

I hope when we look back at this time in our history we laugh at the glitches, the sneeze guards, masks that became a fashion accessory, and the technical malfunctions that plagued learning and remember that school means so much more than report cards and that the arts are not extras but essentials.

Much Love,
Turner

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

**Photo Gallery**

Production Staff & Crew

Director…………………………………………………... Susan Turner Radin

Assistant Director…………………………………………………… Jessica Mangels

Musical Director…………………………………………………... Matthew Hoffman

Vocal Prep…………………………………………………… Greg Modelewski

Choreographer…………………………………………………… Susan Turner Radin

Dance Captain…………………………………………………… Delia Botta

Costume Designer…………………………………………………… Sudan Turner Radin

Costumer Assistant…………………………………………………… Chloe Murphy

Lighting Designer…………………………………………………… Mike Visco

Backdrop…………………………………………………… Theatre World Backdrops

Sound Design and Tech…………………………………………………… SDE Productions

Set/Prop Design…………………………………………………… David Rickmers, Ashlee Cox-Pinckney, Rosalie Campo, Alexa Beaubrun, Isabelle Sass

Stage Manager…………………………………………………… Daniella Padinha

Asst. Stage Managers…………………………………………………… Ariana Levin, Kyle Haritonides

Lamplighter Advisor…………………………………………………… David Rickmers

Program…………………………………………………… Daniella Padinha

Business Manager…………………………………………………… Susan Turner Radin

Backstage Crew…………………………………………………… Olivia Martinez, Brian Dammer

Lighting Crew…………………………………………………… Scott Martin, Isabelle Sass, Rosalie Campo

Sound…………………………………………………… Ashley Winch, Ashlee Cox-Pinckney

Cast

Chip Tolentino…………………………………………………… Paul Schiller

Logainne Schwarzandgrubenierre (Shwarzy)…………………………………………………… Deanna Valentin

Leaf Coneybear…………………………………………………… Hunter Millman

William Berfee……………………………………………………Jaren Smullian

Marcy Park…………………………………………………… Delia Botta

Olive Ostrovsky…………………………………………………… Pamela Carey

Rona Lisa Peretti…………………………………………………… Jordan Logue

Douglas Panch…………………………………………………… Jack O’Loughlin/ Liam Heather

Mitch Mahoney…………………………………………………… Joe Cenzaprano

Olive’s Mom…………………………………………………… Faith Stone

Olive’s Dad…………………………………………………… Edward Pena

Shwarzy's Dad Carl…………………………………………………… Paul Schiller

Shwarzy's Dad Dan…………………………………………………… Jack O'Loughlin/ Liam Heather

Jesus Christ…………………………………………………… Anna Maguire

Ensemble…………………………………………………… Hannah Albert, Salma Laraki, Anna Maguire

Teacher Volunteers…………………………………………………… Lori Bolger, Jessica Corrado, Tiyana Frank, Nicole Honovitch, April Kaufman, Kim Latko, Scott Muller, John Murphy, Joseph Pipolo

Dancers…………………………………………………… Ashley Bartolomeo, Fern Brazeau, Madeline Franz, Harley Guarisco, Alana Marzigliano, Luisa Valencia, Brianna White

Pit Orchestra

Musical Director/Conductor - Matthew Hoffman

Woodwinds - Natalie Bausano, Gabrielle Bausano, Abby Dinstell, Aidan Garemani, Liam Hill, Esteban Maraboli, Angela Shedlow, and Gianna Vozza

Cello/Bass - Cal Eidinoff and Marc Malafronte

Percussion - Kaitlyn Allen, Joshua Alms, John Andreoni, Joseph Gurba, and Anthony Maida

Keyboard - Greg Modelewski

The Director would like to thank…

My staff- Matt Hoffman, Greg Modelewski, David Rickmers, Mike Visco, Doug Rowand, and LJ Saburro. Your dedication and talent are greatly ap­preciated.

My Stage Manager Daniella Padinha, my Assistant Director Jessica Mangels, my costumer assistant Chloe Murphy, and my dance captain Delia Botta. You are fabulous! Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and creativity!

My Amazing Cast, Crew, and Pit! I am so proud of your efforts during this difficult time. You are inspiring artists! Thank you for always bringing your FABULOUS!!!!

Ms. Lauren Godbolt. Your time and assistance is greatly appreciated.

My volunteer MISspelling educators- Mr. Pipolo, Ms. Latko, Ms. Corrado, Ms. Honovich, Ms. Frank, Ms. Bolger, Ms. Kaufmann, and Mr. Murphy. Thank you for your enthusiasm, time, and support of the arts!

Mr. Jamie Rogers for building Mitch's hook. Your ingenuity is always ap­preciated!

110 Party Supply for the amazing balloon trees! Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Parents, for your support of your children's love of theatre!

Charles Salerno and the custodians of Walt Whitman High School, and Mary Ritchie for juggling the intense schedule for the Performing Arts Center and always making things happen for us!

Mr. Rickmers and crew for his amazing assistance with the set and props!!!

Mr. John Murphy, Mr. Jon Varlamos, and the Walt Whitman HS staff for supporting our students and myself during this overwhelming process!

Dr. Bennardo, Dr. Centamore, Dr. D'Elia, Ms. Poprilo, and Ms. Jackie Tarta­ro for your support of the arts in South Huntington. Your leadership makes a huge difference in the lives of your creative students and teachers!

The South Huntington Board of Education for recognizing the value of arts education and supporting our talented students!

My husband and my boys for sharing me with my Whitman Lovelies. I love you more than there are days in forever.

Upcoming Events

The Annual Whitman Dance Concert
& National Honor Society for Dance Art's Induction Ceremony
Wednesday, May 26 @ 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center, WWHS

Theatre Honor Society's production of Twelve Angry Jurors
& National Honor Society for Theatre Arts' Induction Ceremony
Tuesday June 8 @ 7:00pm
Performing Arts Center, WWHS
Tickets for production $10/$8 seniors & students