Entering the MFA Directing program offers a rare gift—the chance to immerse oneself in a script for months on end, delving into its depths, questioning, researching, analyzing, and preparing. The opportunity grants a unique intimacy with a piece and an artist's body of work. The decision to stage Paula Vogel’s INDECENT unfolded as a spiritual journey, driven by a compelling need to tell this story. The revelation of a direct link between the University of Alberta and Sholem Asch marked the beginning of this profound experience, which then led to connecting with the playwright Paula Vogel, Michael Asch—Sholem’s grandson and a former professor at U of A - the Sound Studies Institute, The Wirth Institute of Austrian and Central European Studies, The Department of Music, Bridge & Wolak, the Edmonton Jewish Community, Rabbah Gila Caine, and our dedicated creative team. Being part of bringing this story to Alberta has been a unique privilege. Little did I anticipate the haunting significance this play would hold in this particular moment in time. INDECENT tells the story about another play, The God of Vengeance, a 1906 Yiddish drama by Polish-Jewish writer Sholem Asch, and the troupe of artists who risked their lives to perform it. This year commemorates a century since the groundbreaking Broadway debut of The God of Vengeance in New York, 1923. It also marks a hundred years since the infamous obscenity trial that followed. The echoes of this play cast an unsettling relevance in our current reality. Yet, despite a century's divide, there is still much ground to cover in our ongoing societal struggle for equality, artistic expression, and love. INDECENT is all about making art in dangerous times. The troupe's story, set in a fragile attic, echoes the delicate nature of lives and culture. Deeply touched by Asch's story of love prevailing in a world marred by obscenities, they defiantly gather to perform it. Their journey becomes a powerful exploration of a community grappling with internal conflicts and external threats. The play celebrates the power of storytelling, representing artists who risked everything for the transformative dignity of being seen. Bearing witness to their stories becomes imperative in sustaining their vitality. By telling this story today, we preserve their memory and keep their spirits alive. I am profoundly touched by the passion and inclusivity within our artistic community, as well as the warm embrace extended by both the university campus and the broader Edmonton community—it has been truly moving. My heartfelt gratitude goes to this remarkable cast and group of musicians who, night after night, breathe life into the very essence of this story. And to you, our audience, for setting aside the time to join us in person. Thank you and enjoy the show.