PGT has an ever–increasing number of alumni at various prestigious universities, knee-deep in exciting post-college careers, and traveling throughout the world. Below is the speech given by Alex Rossmiller (PGT graduate 2000) at our Ten Year Anniversary Gala, at which many of our alumni performed. For more information regarding our Alumni Association, please email Alex at alexrossmiller@gmail.com. Check this page again soon for alumni photos and news.

I am honored to be able to speak for the students and alumni of the group, and since you've already heard a lot about the community and love and inclusiveness of the group, I just want to briefly touch upon the experience for all of us of uniting for this anniversary show.

I think the most uttered phrase in the last two weeks of rehearsal has been, "This is crazy." And I think crazy encompasses the melding of so many diverse PGT experiences. The alums include those who are married, working nine to five jobs, performing professionally, or living it up in college. Current students include kids who have been around from the beginning, ready to graduate this spring, as well as newcomers who are just beginning their PGT journey.

We're all quite impressed with each other, and Jill told a story on Thursday about how all the alums were telling her how much better the current students are than they ever were, and the current students telling her they could never live up to the alumni. I can tell you, though, that the alums are right: each successive generation is more talented than the last. The growth of this community, in size and experience, even in age, has been something to behold for all of us.

For perspective, Shara, Ellie, and Caroline, each of whom you saw onstage tonight, are all the age that Jill was when they first met her. Even the fact that Aviva is eight has been the topic of many conversations, particularly among those of us who remember Little Shop hell week when Sandy, practicing his intro, said, "And there is no smoking in the theater . . . because Jill is pregnant!" Everyone getting together like this was an astonishing reminder of how important and meaningful this is for all of us.

Regardless of age and experience, PGT has taught us all that you can function on four hours of sleep, and when you do, everything is really funny. We see that even after a mistake, the show must go on, and if you forget it, fake it. Even if you're singing the wrong notes, sing it full out -- Barb will fix it somehow. We all can say with total confidence that it is worth the time, the money, the time, the time, and the time.

For adding so much to our lives, for showing us how to be good performers and good people, and for indulging our vanity, our mood swings, our failures and our triumphs, we thank our parents, our fellow actors, the board, the amazing staff, and, especially, Jill and Steven.