Mission Statement for First Year Players:

First Year Players exists to provide the University of Virginia community with quality theatre productions featuring first year performers. First Year Players also serves to aid first year students with adjustment to University life by providing an opportunity for students with common interests to interact in both a theatrical and social setting.

I came across the mission statement of First Year Players when I reread our constitution at the beginning of the semester and I was pleased to find that if I were to write it today it would not change from the words written by my predecessors 17 years ago. I also realized that although First Year Players had about as many upper class students working on the production as there are first years, we (the upper classmen) are not the focus of the organization, but are here to build and create an environment for the first years to excel creatively and socially. My hope is that all first years involved in The Wiz this semester have enjoyed working with us as well as made friendships that will stay with them their four years here and beyond. I too know and understand our mission so that you see more than just a play tonight; you see the importance of artistic expression in the lives of students at the University.

In my two and a half years with this organization, I've met some amazing people and seem them make some tremendous advancements both for First Year Players and for themselves. This semester I was blessed with the opportunity to get to know several people more intimately than I had before and I would like to take this opportunity to tell my staff how proud I am of every one of them and how excited I am to know such wonderful and dedicated people. Running a totally student run theatre group involves more than just putting up a musical at the end of the semester, it involves finding a committed staff and case and balancing everyone's educational and creative needs. A very difficult task for anyone, and I could not, and would not, try to do it without my assistant producer, Matt Gordon. Matt has been there at every turn to put me on task and remind me of everything I needed to do and thick about at every moment. As I said before, everyone did an exceptional job this semester and to thank each individual would take up more room than I have, but to all my staff, I want to express how proud I am of each and every one of you. Look on that stage, see those faces and be excited that you made it happen. Lastly, I would like to extend a huge congratulation to Brian Kraft, the cornerstone of this production. Although the road has been rough, you've done an exceptional job.

Tom Cottrill