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From the Director 

It is my incredible honor and privilege to be able to introduce you to this piece of art so many people have been working tirelessly on. This project had so many flaws inherent with any massive undertaking, but each was deftly avoided by the inspiring students determined to bring this production to you today. In a year that was going to live in infamy regardless, I hope this production will provide a contrasting data point to all of the negatives for you to consider when summing up 2021’s worth. 

Emma: A Pop Musical delivers exactly what the title promises, you get a classic novel for a “plot,” interwoven between some amazing pop songs, with some all around good arrangements to boot. I’ll level with you, this show was chosen because it was one of the few that we could actually pull off in this setting. As we have worked on the show, I cannot help but see myself in Emma’s shoes: my preconceived notions of how difficult an online show would be shut me down from seeing what it could become. I spent time lamenting about how to make something worthwhile when the answer was always to allow the students to create and everything would work out. 

The cast makes fun of me because during every rehearsal I remind them how outlandish this whole process is.  I’ll say it again: This has been the most odd production I have ever taken part in, and I am so glad to be able to thank so many wonderful people that have helped make the show what it is today. Don’t get me wrong, there is a good chance I will refuse to look at another screen for a few weeks, but I hate technology a little less thanks to the following people: 

The Parents, Guardians, and Families: Thank you for believing in both the production and your students. For allowing your students to record that one extra vocal part effectively shutting the house down for another twenty minutes, or to move all your furniture to find that elusive solid colored wall. Thanks for being flexible, encouraging, and caring as the students spent significant portions of time working away on a project you have never seen. Most importantly, thank you for keeping our kids in good spirits and positive. These kids appreciate you far more than they’ll let on as teenagers.  

The Kids: I really did not want to do a show this year. I cannot stress this enough: you are the entire reason that this production is happening. You make all the countless hours put into these productions worth it.  Y’all are so talented and dedicated, it is an incredible honor to have the opportunity to work with you. Thanks for all your skills, support, and help bringing this show together. This show is truly a testament to how much love and energy you pour into your art. I am so proud of all of you.  

The Stage Managers: Remember spending an hour and a half nervous laughing / holding back tears while trying to figure out how to make this show work on an online platform when the first line in the show is about eating hors d'oeuvres? So much of this show is yours and I cannot thank you enough for all of the amazing ideas, inspiring pep talks, and for literally keeping my life in order during musical season. I could not have done this show without you by my side! 

The Dance Captains: This year has been new for everyone, but I feel like you got thrown into an entirely different reality. What started out as writing and teaching simple choreography turned into helping to design the visual representation of the show and then recording multiple master tracks with inverted and backwards camera options for the cast to record to. I don’t know how any of you found the time in the day to do everything, but I appreciate you so much. Thank you for making the show pop and for your incredible attitude and talent! 

Misha Williams: Thank you for your undying support, your musical advice, and your patience as I was in a perpetual state of being flustered while trying to figure out how to make an online show work. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you.  

Melissa Avellino: Thank you for willingly taking on this unorthodox production, for making sure I was in the right place at the right time, and every little piece of this show came together.  Thank you for caring so deeply about these kids and constantly pushing them to be the best version of themselves they can be every day.  

Ed Holub: I usually enjoy throwing you a new challenge every year that pushes your comfortability, but this was excessive and I’m sorry.  Thank you for rolling with the punches and making crew work in such an abstract show.   

Birch Wilson: Thank you for being the tool that applies to most situations and being so flexible in helping out on this show. While it definitely is not anywhere near as fun as playing in a pit, I’m glad you were able to help us put the show together!  

Aaron & Caitlyn Bach: I always like working with you and the kids absolutely love you.  Thank you for making our show work in your life and for all your insight on nailing the scene work in this show!  

Kat Nitti: Yes, you get two… Child. How? While there are so many individuals that made this production possible, you single handedly allowed me to be able to have a little bit of free time in my life. Thank you for your constant drive to produce high quality videos throughout the production, your quirky but always brilliant ideas, and your nonstop whit. You should be so proud of this production and all you contributed, I cannot express enough how impressed I am.  

Shae Giordano & Jordan Dicker: Thank you both so much for figuring out a way to make this show work with a crew. Thank you for constantly innovating and being such team players. I am so glad that we got an opportunity to work together and cannot imagine what this show would have been without you. 

Ken Blando: Thank you so much for helping us out while recording the final number.  It was so nice to have a professional helping us get the shots we needed in the short amount of time we had to be together.  

Mr. Betze, Dr. Tew, Mrs. Avery, Mrs. Mumpower, Mr. Wyers: In this day and age where school arts programs are being cut and diminished at a record rate, it’s refreshing to work with school administrators who are unwaveringly committed to a strong performing arts program. Thank you so much for making sure everything we needed for this production was taken care of, for your constant support, and your encouragement! 

Emma Scenes & Songs

Act One

Scene One: Highbury Pre
"Chapel of Love" - Emma, Mr. Weston, Miss. Taylor, Miss. Bates, Company
 "Man I Feel Like A Woman" - Emma, Harriett, Female Ensemble 

Scene Two: Highbury Prep Dining Hal
“Be My Baby - Part 1” - Harrie
“How Will I Know?” - Harriet, Emma, Female Ensemble
“Be My Baby - Part 2” - Harriet
“King Of Anything” - Emma, Jeff, Company
“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” - Jane, Harriet, Emma, Female Ensemble

Scene Three: Highbury Prep Party
“You Can’t Hurry Love” - Welcoming Committee, Emma
“Things I’ll Never Say” - Jeff, Company
 “Heartbreaker” - Frankie, Emma, Harriet, Jane, Jeff, Martin, Company

Act Two

Scene One: Highbury Prep
“Whatta Man/You Gotta Be” - Female Ensemble, Miss. Bates
“Straight Up”- Emma, Frankie, Company

Scene Two: Harriet and Jane’s Dorm Room
“Bad, Bad Crush” - Harriet and Jane

Scene Three: Jeff’s Office
 “Roar” - Emma, Jeff, Ashley, Phillip
“Stay” - Emma, Frankie, Jeff, Company

Scene Four: Highbury Prep Charity Dance
“Turn the Beat Around/I Wanna Dance With Somebody” - Ashley, Welcoming Committee, Harriet, Emma, Company
“Be My Baby - Part 3” - Harriet

Scene Five: Outside
“Brave” - Harriet, Jane, Frankie, Emma, Jeff, Company
“Be My Baby - Part 4” - Harriet, Jane, Emma, Frankie, Jeff
“Unwritten” - Emma, Jeff, Harriet, Jane, Frankie, Martin, Company
“Make A Match For You” - Company

Cast

Creative Team

Patrons

The Robbinsville High School Musical Department would like to thank the following businesses for their continuous support of our program. 

Robbinsville Board of Education 

Mr. Vito Galluccio, President
Mr. Christopher Emigholz, Vice President
Mrs. Maxine Fox
Ms. Jane Luciano
Mrs. Lisa Temple
Mr. Scott Veisz
Mr. Richard Young
Mrs. Tanya Lehmann
Mr. Jai Gulati 

 Robbinsville School District 

Mr. Brian Betze, Superintendent
Dr. Kim Tew, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Nick Mackres, School Business Administrator 

 Robbinsville High School 

Mrs. Molly Avery, Principal
Mrs. Nicole Mumpower, Assistant Principal
Mr. Curtis Wyers Jr, Assistant Principal 

Guestbook