Everybody Cut Footloose
Drama Department takes on four time Tony nominated musical
By Isabel Epstein
The drama department’s spring show is about to kick off as they get ready to perform “Footloose” for Director Steve Dini’s last musical at Pioneer.
Knowing it was going to be his last year directing the drama department, Dini wanted to find a musical that had a big chorus and wanted to go out with a happy, energetic light.
“I’m looking for the kids to have an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.” Dini said.
“Footloose,” the musical based on the 1984 Kevin Bacon film, opened in New York on October 28, 1998 and ran for 709 performances. It tells the story of a rebellious teenager who moves to a town where the local minister has forbidden dancing. It received four Tony Nominations and was revived several times over the years. Dini took the same story from the original musical and added multiple songs and heavy choreography to make the show unique and captivating.
“I think it’s a misunderstood musical because a lot of people think it’s a fluff piece with just music and dancing but it’s really about loss,” Dini said. “It’s about forgiveness, it’s about redemption, and it’s about freedom.”
The “Footloose” cast has a total of over 100 members, one of the biggest casts in Pioneer history, creating an opportunity for everyone to be included in Dini’s last show and to generate an accurate visual of the town of fictional town of Bomont.
With rehearsals from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, the cast spends lots of time together to perfect scene changes, stage direction and to put everyone’s individual efforts together.
“We’re like a big family on and off stage” Emily Summers, 12 said.
This show creates an exhilarating feeling for the young performers and encourages them to step out of their comfort zone.
“(After the seniors graduate) every year a new kids steps up and I think the audience is just surprised at how talented the new people are.” Dini said.
Rebecca Hillsbery, 12, who took a break from acting and had not received a major role since middle school, auditioned for the production. She never expected a principle role but was ecstatic when given the role of Lulu Warnicker.
“I was really really grateful and really amazed because I didn’t know I was capable of that,” Hillsbery said.
Footloose will have six performances on March 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 and April 1, at 7pm in the PAC. Tickets are available online on the webstore or at the door for $7.
Drama Department takes on four time Tony nominated musical
By Isabel Epstein
The drama department’s spring show is about to kick off as they get ready to perform “Footloose” for Director Steve Dini’s last musical at Pioneer.
Knowing it was going to be his last year directing the drama department, Dini wanted to find a musical that had a big chorus and wanted to go out with a happy, energetic light.
“I’m looking for the kids to have an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.” Dini said.
“Footloose,” the musical based on the 1984 Kevin Bacon film, opened in New York on October 28, 1998 and ran for 709 performances. It tells the story of a rebellious teenager who moves to a town where the local minister has forbidden dancing. It received four Tony Nominations and was revived several times over the years. Dini took the same story from the original musical and added multiple songs and heavy choreography to make the show unique and captivating.
“I think it’s a misunderstood musical because a lot of people think it’s a fluff piece with just music and dancing but it’s really about loss,” Dini said. “It’s about forgiveness, it’s about redemption, and it’s about freedom.”
The “Footloose” cast has a total of over 100 members, one of the biggest casts in Pioneer history, creating an opportunity for everyone to be included in Dini’s last show and to generate an accurate visual of the town of fictional town of Bomont.
With rehearsals from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, the cast spends lots of time together to perfect scene changes, stage direction and to put everyone’s individual efforts together.
“We’re like a big family on and off stage” Emily Summers, 12 said.
This show creates an exhilarating feeling for the young performers and encourages them to step out of their comfort zone.
“(After the seniors graduate) every year a new kids steps up and I think the audience is just surprised at how talented the new people are.” Dini said.
Rebecca Hillsbery, 12, who took a break from acting and had not received a major role since middle school, auditioned for the production. She never expected a principle role but was ecstatic when given the role of Lulu Warnicker.
“I was really really grateful and really amazed because I didn’t know I was capable of that,” Hillsbery said.
Footloose will have six performances on March 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 and April 1, at 7pm in the PAC. Tickets are available online on the webstore or at the door for $7.
