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Many Smiles, Much Laughter

For many years, I’ve directed the Branford High School musical with Cathyann Roding. Following her resignation, people have asked me if I’ll continue to direct. Therefore, I’m officially announcing my resignation as well.

There have been many smiles, much laughter, and more than a few tears in the last 32 years. For me, the memories are countless and priceless and I share them with so many.

To every person who was the producer—a very difficult job—thank you. To every parent, administrator, and faculty and staff member who gave me such tremendous support just for the pride they take in a job well done; to every member of our production staffs and crews, parents and students, who worked with one of our actors, worked concessions, or showed someone to their seat, brought food, held a paintbrush/camera/poster/ticket/costume/program/party decoration/drill/saw/press release/T-shirt/needle/scissors, or did hair or make-up, thank you.

To all our outstanding stage managers and every crew member who ever changed the set and made it all seem magical, to every orchestra member who added all the conductor’s changes and followed the baton, to every techie who ever hung a light or tested a mic to fill our auditorium with light and sound, thank you.

Most of all, to every student actor who ever sang, put on makeup, made us laugh, played the villain, danced, kissed, brought tears to our eyes, thrilled us with their performance, and brought to life hundreds of characters with their special talents, thank you.

While there is no way I can adequately express my gratitude, from the bottom of my heart, know that I will be forever grateful to all for sharing the experience that is musical theater with me, and for truly touching my life forever.

Toni Cartisano

Branford