Director's Note

​

For several years youth have been begging me to direct The Princess Bride, because who doesn't love the movie?  And for years I always responded, "Yea, that would be super fun," but it never worked out.   This past spring we were excited to see the play being produced by Spotlight Children's Theater with all new original songs by Mark Evans.  We approached Mark about the opportunity of using his songs in an original adaptation based on the book by William Goldman.  He graciously agreed.

These amazing youth have spent the past 7 weeks of their summer waking up early, memorizing lines, and melting in the hot summer sun.  They have given their all and had fun doing it.  It has been a delight to wake up early each morning myself and look forward to spending a few hours with awesome people who are diligent, respectful, helpful and kind.  

Thank you to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Clearfield Stake, Clearfield 4th Ward for allowing us to use their Bowery for practices.  Thank you to Mark Evans and Spotlight Children's Theater for their input and support.  And thank you to the parents of these youth who brought shade tents, sent treats, provided cold water, taught music, helped with costumes, and helped the students backstage during the production.  I love my mom friends just as much as I love the opportunity to work with these youth.

While I love all forms of art, there is just something special about theater.  I love watching the youth change and grow, become friends, and do something hard together.  Not to mention all the skills they learn in collaboration, teamwork, self-confidence, humor, coordination, memorization, and hard work.  There is just nothing as rewarding as standing backstage on opening night, beaming at these wonderful actors as they nervously prepare to take the stage, and imagining them on the stage of life, with newfound skills and newfound friends.

On a final note, with this show, Shine Performing Arts will be saying goodbye to Dallin Johnson, he has been our Westly, Gaston, Jafar, Scrooge, Gilbert, Rolf, and many other parts.  He has also been our tech guru, our set mover, our playbill programmer, and many other roles including son, confidant, and friend.  Thank you for 9 years of shining on the stage, and 9 years of behind the scenes making sure everyone else sounded great.  We love you!

Julie Johnson

Producer and Director of Shine Performing Arts