On behalf of First Year Players, thank you for coming! The support of family, friends, students, and community members is what makes this possible and more importantly, worthwhile.

The journey to what you will see tonight began with a question: "How do we follow a musical likeUrinetown?" How are we to grow as a musical theater organization after having just performed a show that mercilessly (and hysterically) cuts down the building blocks of what we do? After some reflection, it quickly became apparent that the appropriate response to such a modern work was to explore a beautiful classic like West Side Story.

What makes a challenging show like West Side Story possible is the love and dedication of nearly two hundred people. Having been involved in FYP for three years, I felt I had become quite acquainted with the ins and outs of the organization, but it wasn’t until this semester, my first as Producer, that I truly saw just how much work goes on outside of the spotlight. For so many semesters, my involvement had required the dedication to smaller, specific tasks to be charged with guiding the entire organization was both extraordinarily exciting and incredibly intimidating. It has been an honor and a humbling experience to be entrusted with the care of what I have considered to be my home for the past three years. I want to thank the members of FYP for giving me this opportunity, I am so lucky to work with such talented individuals.

I could not imagine the incredible show you will see tonight without the passion of the director, Mia Joshi; her quiet leadership taps into the potential of everyone around her. Mia, it was a pleasure to work with you and I hope you are as proud as I am of what you have helped to accomplish. 

I must also thank Jessie Wright for being the absolute best number two a guy could ask for and Erin McDonald for not only being a joy to work with but for being one of the first to believe in my abilities as Producer, thank you for everything. 

While I cannot thank everyone who made this night possible, I cannot go without thanking my dear friend, Katie Ulmer. Katie, we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for your leadership and organization. It’s been a crazy ride since those nights in Cabell Hall, and I am fortunate to have had you along for the ride.

To the staff, cast, pit, and tech: You all should be so proud of the mark you have made on this incredible show. This is your night, enjoy it. 

To the audience: I cannot thank you enough for your support, you are the reason we do what we do.

Once again, thank you all for coming and enjoy the show!

--Logan McClellan, Producer