playbill vip

 Assembling a production of this magnitude requires a lot of assistance from a large variety of professionals. I have been so blessed to work with many. Creating the magic that you see entails countless hours, phone calls, and unexpected journeys. I am blessed with seniors who have cars and can be my extra, hands. They work at local bagel stores that assist us in our morning fund raising efforts, run to costume shops and thrift stores at the last minute, and are incredibly creative.

      I have been blessed with the opportunity to not only direct this specific group of graduating seniors, but to also have been their Director in their first production at Samoset. Special thanks need to go out to Michael Schulz, Paul Gagliardi, Elliana Gianacopolous, Taylor Newsom, Chris Isolano, and a special thank you to Nick Ragano for his obsessive Artistic quality. They are part of the backbone that makes the Sachem Drama Club wheels spin.

     Paul Gagliardi has assisted me in this production from the very beginning. It was his passion that enabled the wheels to turn. Thank you, Paul.

     Michael Schulz has designed and help build and paint every set and design every lighting plan we have done this year. He is an incredibly talented man who inspires my every move. We will have some tough shoes to fill next year when you graduate.

     Michael Carroll has been with me as a student musician from my Sachem South days and continues to inspire me and our students as a supreme musician here at North. Thank you for your expertise and friendship.

    Cara Caliendo as Musical Director for the first time at North Campus has inspired her students and only sets a higher standard to which we will strive for in our next performance...thank you, Cali Endo.

    Dominic Lux has taken students with hammers and saws and managed to transform a pile of lumber into a set beyond imagination. I am sure I frustrated the heck out of you every day, but you stuck it out the first show in November and are doing the musical, so I guess you have the theater bug. Welcome to my world.

      Deanna Mato as my choreographer had to deal with countless changes in choreography as I continually added actors to her dances and performers came and went, her expertise and her level of performance is outstanding and I could not have asked for a better professional to help choreograph this show.

      Marie Gruick has been an asset to every production I have directed at Samoset and now at North. Her costume designs, inspirations, and calming effect enabled us to achieve the level of performance that Sachem North is known for. I could not have done this show without her and her side kicks Teresa and AnnMarie.

      Samantha Saporita drove me crazy with her obsession for detail in the designing of our program and putting her computer skills to use, but without her, tee Shirts and sweatshirt designs would not have been made possible,The program would not have been designed and I would have been a mess. I am happy to say she will be with us a couple of more years, heavy sigh. Thank you, Sam.

     It would be unacceptable for me to not thank Sachem North's former Director Jon Chiaramonte, for without the training he provided these kids over the past four years they would not be performing the quality of show that you are witnessing.Thank you, Jon.

      The Custodial staff at Sachem North is Outstanding. The secretaries in John Dolan's office provided with me with information that enabled this show to happen.

      I am so grateful for the students of Sachem North for taking on a very controversial production, with control and style and delivering a masterpiece. I am so proud of their achievements and look forward to the next couple of years as your Drama Director.

     Lastly, I would like to extend sincere thanks to Denise Dolan for making her Sachem North Drama debut as our Specialty Dancer and to Principal John Dolan, who saw the potential in our students and helped get the permission to present this show at North. I congratulate the Sachem School Board for allowing us to enrich, entertain, and educate our community to theater, music and the arts. You help to inspire our students and faculty to go beyond our limits and make a difference.

        Thank you all,

         Mark Lucas