Rob Schreiner, Solana Ramírez-García, Jaimelyn Gray, Les Zarzecki, Dana Vetter, and Matthew Ivan Bennett
Hi Friends,
As we finish up the casting process for "The Pillowman," I've had some time to reflect on the first half of this year and I just wanted to send one more thank you message before we get lost in all the summer festivals. I personally feel thank yous are underrated and not said often enough. In this wonderful ensemble art that is theatre, most of us work for the sheer love of it rather than the paycheck, so thank yous are very much needed and I try to say them as often as possible.
The Constructivists would not have had the success we had with "Gruesome Playground Injuries," or be moving forward with our next projects either, without the leap of faith from some very brave people. Because taking a chance on a new company is a leap of faith and it is brave. To dedicate your time to a new (read: unproven) company cannot at all be ignored or undervalued and so I just want to thank those brave souls one more time because their hard work has not gone unnoticed, is very much appreciated, and will never be forgotten.
To Matthew Ivan Bennett for your advice, wonderful words, and going far beyond the call; to Amanda Bowen and your leadership from afar; to J.R. Sullivan and your invaluable mentorship; to Sarah Harris and your endless energy; to Laura Sturm and your endless positivity and expertise...
To Matt Kemple and The Underground Collaborative and the much needed extra hands and humor; to Ryan Schabach and your selflessness and connectedness; to Christal Wagner and your sisterly support; to Posy Knight and Kirk Thomsen and your much needed honesty; to Krista Kanderski and your unearthly calm; to Zachary Dean for spreading the word; to Chris and Jane Flieller and your grounding advice; to Emry Brisky for your art; to the media outlets of Russ Bickerstaff and The Small Stage, Footlights, Milwaukee Magazine, and Broadway World for taking the time to give positive thoughts on our work...
To Becky Cofta for putting your performer heart aside and doing the "glory-less" work; to Aaron Suggs for doing the toughest job; to Robert Hornbostel and your positively awesome collaborativeness; to Dana Vetter and your quick-wittedness to do a job no one thought an opera singer could (or would)...
To Solana Ramírez-García for being a true artist and going way outside your comfort zone to find a character far beyond yourself and doing it masterfully, and to Rob Schreiner for ripping off the training wheels and putting a rocket on the damn bike: You made a visceral, unbeatable pair...
And to Les Zarzecki, a guy who can build anything, for being the real driving force behind The Constructivists...
Thank you all. For the support, the volunteer hours, the kind words, and all the positivity needed to get this beast off the ground. Thank you. I am filled with gratefulness.
Now go out there and have a great summer. See you this fall.
Jaimelyn Gray
Artistic Director