Into the Woods Director’s Note

Dear Patron –

The UNC Pauper Players are proud to present our Spring 2018 production, Into the Woods. Being a part of this process has been incredibly rewarding, and everyone involved has worked endlessly to create the finished product. The UNC Pauper Players pride themselves as an organization that creates opportunities for students to develop their craft while working alongside their peers. As a fully student-run organization, everything you will see tonight is brought to life by the hard work and ingenuity of talented and creative students: every light, every sound, every costume, and every set piece.

Working with this cast has been nothing short of a pleasure. Having the chance to work with such talented people not only allows me to grow as an artist, but also as a person. Throughout this process the cast has worked tirelessly to connect parts of themselves to their characters, and I’m excited for you to see the finished product of the time and energy they’ve spent developing their characters.

Into the Woods is an important piece of theater that deserves attention and celebration more than ever. A show about struggle, personal choice, and finding yourself, Into the Woods celebrates humanity and what it means to have a life. In todays socio-political climate, we are fogged by a culture that encourages punishing those for their mistakes, punishing those in need, and turning our backs on those who need help. Into the Woods is a show that instead teaches us to love, to care, and to trust. Throughout this performance you will hopefully take away many lessons, but most importantly I hope you leave realizing one thing: no one is alone. 

Thank you again for coming out and supporting the UNC Pauper Players, this incredible cast, and all of the hard work we’ve put into the production.

Best,

Will Leitch, Director