DIRECTOR'S NOTE

At the end of last school year, my mentor, Shalynn Reynolds, challenged me to take the next step in my journey as a director: directing a production at the high school level. I had already had the opportunity to direct my peers, but Shalynn saw something in me that made her believe I was ready for a new challenge. I brought the idea to Mr. Thorn, who helped me figure out how we could make this opportunity a reality.

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When I began at Arizona State University, I also shared this opportunity with my new professor and mentor, Mary McAvoy. Through her support, I have been able to use this production as part of my coursework toward my degree in Theatre Education. What began as a challenge has become an incredibly meaningful part of my journey toward becoming a theatre educator.

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I first encountered Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion in my directing class. As I read the script, I could immediately picture it on the Crismon stage. I could see the characters, the chaos, the comedy, and the possibilities. I knew almost immediately that this was the show I wanted to bring to life. I spent much of the summer working out the details, knowing that once rehearsals began, we would need to hit the ground running.

And then came the cast.

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I am continually amazed by these students. I asked a great deal of them throughout this process, and they not only rose to the challenge—they exceeded my expectations. They embraced their characters, made creative and thoughtful choices, and brought ideas to the stage that made the production even better than I had imagined. Their creativity even extended beyond their performances, as they took ownership of their costumes and found wonderfully inventive ways to bring their characters to life.

Directing this production has been an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to discover just how much young performers are capable of when they are given the chance to create. I am incredibly proud of what this cast has accomplished, and I am grateful to have been trusted with the opportunity to work with them.

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Welcome to Madame Doyle’s Museum for Crime and Justice! At the annual gala, Madame Doyle always invites a special guest who is an expert in murder. This year, however, she has invited eleven guest detectives. When they all become suspects in a mysterious murder, the question becomes: who will solve the case?

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Thank you for supporting these students and this theatre program. I hope you enjoy Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion!