Director’s Notes
The Theater Project has been my home for a long time now and it’s moments like this when I’m reminded what a special place it is. There is always something going on. Right after this closes we open, The ANZACS, Lest We Forget, another original play written by veteran TTP actor Michele Livermore Wigton, then our Senior group, The Center Stage Players will have a show in May followed by everyone’s favorite, Voices in the Mirror with the Young Company. Take a look at our summer camps and stay posted for special events to celebrate our 45th anniversary.
Thanks for coming today and supporting The Theater Project. We are grateful for your patronage and hope you enjoy the show.
Lastly, a special thank you to Joanna Patterson who without her help, friendship and dedication none of this would be possible.
Wendy
It’s been five years since I’ve directed a play. I have a beautiful four year old daughter - she’s taken up most of my time. As they say. “I’m so excited to be back in the saddle” for many reasons.
1) It’s our 45th anniversary year and we’re celebrating with a season of ALL original works by Maine playwrights and I didn’t want to miss being a part of it.
2) I got to direct The Theater Project’s Board of Directors play who is also a great friend, funny man and huge supporter!
3) Being creative again and working on such an interesting play has rejuvenated my body and heart. I love theater and am a firm believer that art feeds the soul.
Helping with my re-entry has been an incredible and talented cast of actors. Who have made rehearsals fun, thoughtful and inspiring. I am also lucky to have an incredible technical crew that make me look like I know what I’m doing and are dedicated to making a great show for you today. Thank you Jim, Josie, Rowan, Bailey, Emma, Nick, Beth, David, JP, Colin, Amanda, Maggie and Chris what a lucky girl to collaborate with such wonderful humans!
playwright’s notes
I also knew this play would work out once my two daughters, both incredibly talented Theater Project veterans, got involved – Josie in the cast, and Maggie back stage. Josie and Maggie were in fact the inspiration for the play itself: at its core, Mother’s Helper is about the ability of a strong, smart girl to overcome hardship, completely on her own, beyond what any of us might expect of someone her age. So, for a variety of reasons, I hope you enjoy the show. Thank you for coming out and supporting this truly local production. And stop looking at my hair!
Jim Adolf
One of the longest-running ads on TV is for Hair Club for Men, a company that re-seeds men’s bald heads. The spokesperson reveals at the end of the ad that he’s not only the Hair Club President . . . he’s also a client! Well, in that same spirit, here is my awkward reveal: I’m not only the president of the Theater Project board . . . I’m also the author of this play!
Wendy assures me that she selected my play not because of my role on the board, but as part of the Theater Project’s 45th anniversary celebration of original plays by local authors. Whether she’s saying that because it’s true or because I do her employment reviews, once Wendy agreed to direct the show herself, I knew it would be fine. And, as you’ll soon see, it turned out better than fine – Wendy’s extraordinary creative instincts and vision have turned this play into something way, way beyond the script.