Director's Note I am thrilled to be returning to SJCT. This time not just as the fictional captain of the "Jolly Rodger" (playing the iconic Captain James Hook) but truly captain-ing the upcoming production of OLIVER. I have followed the successes and triumphs of SJCT and have cheered their progress and purpose. I have a deep affection for children's theatre: theater by children and for children. Theatre helped me at a very early age to find my … [Read more...] about Oliver!
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Director's Note: I love Christmas! it brings out the best in each of us. We tend to be more loving, forgiving, generous, and kind. It's more that just Santa and presents. It's much deeper. And like Imogene Herdman, it can change us into something more, something greater. Christmas fills us with hope, understanding, and peace and with that we can feel the cheer of the season as we remember what is important to us. "Hey! Hey! Unto you a child is … [Read more...] about The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Little Shop of Horrors
Director's Note Sometimes you just need to sit down, relax, and laugh. Theatre tells all kinds of stories and takes us on so many amazing journeys. Our journey tonight is enthusiastically silly fun. The cast, crew and production team have completely enjoyed the process of creating this charismatic theatre gem. And this gem is our gift to you tonight... so sit back, relax, and just laugh! ~Toni Butler Little Shop of Horrors performed in … [Read more...] about Little Shop of Horrors
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Director's Note Shakespeare's plays have been with us for 500 years because he understood the human condition. Whether it was the conflict in his great tragedies and historical dramas or in this case his delightful electric comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream, his narratives are still relevant. Tonight's production is an exploration of the absurdities of love and attraction... "Lord, what fools these mortals be." ~Kevin Dudley A Midsummer … [Read more...] about A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Secret Garden
Director's Note The story of The Secret Garden is beautiful, timeless, and beloved by millions of people. At first, the characters are hard and miserable but through working and learning to love and care, they change right before your eyes into beautiful people. This musical version is my personal favorite rendition of The Secret Garden. It has been a joy to work with this amazing cast and crew and implement my vision for this production. I … [Read more...] about The Secret Garden
Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
Director's Note How true is the story of Aladdin in our own lives! We have all followed the journey of finding ourselves and being true to that person within. I remember as a youth how hard it was to do just that. As many other young people, I wanted to be popular and fit in. I also remember how quickly that road became stale and eventually I had to face that who I was, was just fine. Once I figured that out, how free and happy I felt because at … [Read more...] about Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
Annie, 2009
Director's Note "All I want, more than anything in the world, is to be like other kids... with folks of my own." Annie's optimistic journey to find her parents in the face of pessimistic times is one of the most beloved stories in musical theatre. How relevant her story is today! She continually finds the silver lining in her trials and never gives up. I love Warbuck's discovery that "Something was Missing" is his life that seemed to have … [Read more...] about Annie, 2009
Disney’s High School Musical
Directors' Note Achieving unity amidst diversity is a challenge at any stage of a persons life. Yet each of us brings something to the table, to help the others to grow. High School Musical is the essence of this concept. The play takes you back the adventure and excitement of high school; a place where one is faced with discovering who they are and where they fit in. Often this self discovery results in cliques. We see this attitude equally … [Read more...] about Disney’s High School Musical
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Director's Note Joseph is one the best examples of musical theatre storytelling. Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice brilliantly bring Joseph and his coat alive through various genres of music and charismatic characters and lyrics. My vision of this production was to simply tell that story making every morsel as rich and engaging as the next moment. I had an irresistible cast and production team that capably engaged this vision. This has truly … [Read more...] about Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Aristocats Kids
Director's Note We are all different from one another. We have different backgrounds, different experiences. We all look different. It's only when we take time to learn about each other that we find out just how much we have in common. I love the message The Aristocats gives us about coming together despite our differences and working towards a common goal. In this case, triumphing over Edgar. I have had an amazing time directing these … [Read more...] about Aristocats Kids