As the Producer and Director of I Am the Music, I would like to share with you all what a fabulous job everyone did during this Production! Our talented Cast was wonderful, and made my undertaking just that much more gratifying. Their singing, dancing, and creative acting interpretations of the script portraying a young girl’s journey to find her true strength, courage, and confidence when confronted with difficult circumstances indeed complements the atmosphere we all created so beautifully. Our leads, Emily B., our heroine who was always spot on with her singing and interpretation of the journey of the hero, Lexi P. who made a difficult task of being a mean girl look so simple, to Nicole F., Aubrey B., Laura P., whose roles as Girls Scouts took on a whole metamorphous when they combined their voices into song, our bullies Meghan G., Emerald O., and Alyssa R., who helped Claire define the word “mean”, thank you all for your willingness to step up, and let your true voice be heard. To all the Cast, on behalf of the Production team, I want you to know that we really appreciate your dedication, talent, and efforts to see this project come to fruition.
In this production I wanted the viewer to grasp that life is a process of challenges and opportunities; how you deal with them is indeed quality of life. That truth sinks in when a film is being produced. The process needs an astute and creative editor/director of photography like David Schulz, who knows how to steer an errant scene back on track. I gratefully call him my eyes and ears. This Production needed the supportive environment provided by Cindy Kocol and Ann Marie Soderstrom. An undertaking such as this would have been nearly impossible without the dedicated staff of Girl Scouts of Northern IL. Without their belief in a Musical Operetta as way of storytelling, and especially the guiding leadership from Lisa Breitsprecher, my producing, directing, and Lyrics would never be allowed to serve a higher purpose. The music created for this Project was a special gift from Michael Walker whose clarity and creative juice’s just flow on and on. Just as necessary are individuals who tend to all the production details, including the website design, implementation, and posting of current information about the project, I Am the Music. Tye Gustina and Jason Korth did exactly that!
These people make the Directors life easier from day to day in this case, Maria Skillman, who acted as associate producer and choreographer as well as my 1st AD during production and Zach Lynde, who is right there when you need him. Scott Kever, who’s talent for the written word is remarkable as well as his camera work which has become second nature to him, made Dave’s life just a little better, Alejandro Cruz, and SR Brandon, who’s stills and shooting second camera was invaluable, and Dillon Witt our production assistant whose willingness to do anything and everything,
Thanks to all of you, and as always, always to my life partner, Susan Arco, Senior Producer, the trusted right hand who always knows what the left hand is doing. Thank you!
- Joe Arco, Producer and Director
You all ROCK!!