Our Actors Look Back at *The Merry Wives of Windsor*

Some reflections on FSC's The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Becky Boesen:

Reed Westerhoff:

There is a special kind of feeling when an actor closes a show. Weeks, Months, Years, or however long, it all gets put to rest after so much time and work, with only a memory to fill the void of what, for a period of time, was your whole life.

Last night, an incredible, welcoming and talented cast closed Flatwater Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. Nearly 3 months from Audition to close and I only wish we had more time together. I've never worked with a company so full of brilliant people that I can sincerely count among my friends. I can only hope to work with all of you again.

May your cudgels be high, your wives merry, and may you all wash yourselves of the buck. Until next time.

Breeana Francesca Carodine:

An incredible end to an incredible run.

I am so grateful to have been a part of this production. I honestly could not have asked for a better (or more challenging) way to be reintroduced to my first love. I was able to spend time with old friends and make new ones. This team of people truly were an incredible support system and helped me so much the last couple of months. You're all such an inspiration and I couldn't be more thankful to know you all.

I won't take such a long break from theatre this time. I don't ever want to enter a new experience feeling so out of practice ever again. So stay tuned everyone.

Katie Hoppe:

I could not have asked for a better way to spend my summer. Being surrounded by such positivity, support, and pure energy every day was an incredible experience. I'm endlessly thankful that the universe brought me together and gave me the chance to work all the incredible people in this cast. You best believe I will support the HELL out of you guys in whatever new adventure comes your way!

Special shoutout to Michelle Zinke and Petra Wahlqvist for being ridiculously awesome stage managers and all-around beautiful people. Working with you both was a gift. And, of course, none of this would have been possible without our fearless director, Becky Boesen. You continually push me to be a better actor and person and I don't have the words to express my gratefulness at the opportunities you have given me. You're an inspiration to me and countless others. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

Ian McKercher

I am incredibly proud of how our final show turned out tonight at the Railyard for The Merry Wives of Windsor. I felt like it was our best audience and that's because we as a cast brought our best energy to the show tonight. Everyone was laughing at every line. What an amazing night to end on! Thank you so much cast and crew for an awesome conclusion to this process. I got to work with some old faces and make some amazing new friends as well, whom I look forward to seeing in the future. We formed a true family through this production. You are all such hard workers and amazing actors! I will work with every single one of you again in a heartbeat. This tour was a blast!

Allison Baird

I've been doing this theatre thing as long as I can remember. Before I graced the stage myself, I remember watching in the crowd with big eyes wishing that I could do what they did.

Now, I get to struggle through and enjoy this beautiful mess we call art. (And I can't imagine myself doing anything else.) But, tonight in our final performance of one of the hardest yet most rewarding shows yet, I'm reminded of why I do it. So that this little girl knows that she can. And so that I am reminded that I can. Iris, your shirt is so right. Girls totally rule.