Every spring, the high school drama department performs a Musical. This year, the high school is putting on a musical based on the famous movie Footloose. Which is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small town where dancing is outlawed. He has to go against the local reverend to show the town that Dancing is good. This is an event that the entire school, as well as the faculty and parents, looks forward to for the whole school year, making every show night sold out within days. Students rehearsed for months to build teamwork and learn their individual parts. The rehearsals are often considered the most tedious but rewarding part of the musical. When James Coleman, playing the main character of Ren McCormack, was asked about the months of rehearsal leading up to the performance, he said, “It has been an amazing but stressful experience. I’ve loved getting closer to the directors and my friends and working through the challenges of the play. Everyone is so incredibly talented and It’s been so cool to see everyone grow into their roles and put in the work to a show that I know is going to be incredible.” Another cast member, Oliver Speirs, who plays Coach Dunbar, was asked the same question about the lead up to the performance and said, “The show is going great so far, and the cast and crew are really bonding. Everyone is putting in the work, and it is starting to look amazing. I think this will be one of the best shows yet.”

Students say that the rehearsals help bring the cast together as a group and have challenged them to work together as a team to learn their songs and their dances. After the show is done, the cast enjoys looking back on the work and time they committed to putting on the show. Will Irvin, who played one of the high school students in Bomont named Bickle, noted,  “Footloose has been my favorite show that I have been in at Carmel. The dancing and vocals were very difficult this year but I feel like we’ve met the challenge. There was so much energy and joy throughout the show. My favorite part of the show was the song ‘Mama Says.’” One of the most impressive parts of this year’s musical was the immense amount of choreography and dancing in the production. Mrs. McCorkle was in charge of the choreography for this year’s musical and worked closely with students to make Footloose a standout performance. 

There was also a staff night where the faculty gets to see the show a day early free of charge. High school Bible teacher Mrs. Brinkley and English teacher Mrs. Menendez were asked about their favorite part of the show as well as students that surprised or impressed them with their performance.

“I really enjoyed the last scene at the dance, yet I loved it all! Another favorite was “I Need a Hero” – wonderful voices, choreography and stage presence!  Bravo! It is a joy to watch students grow in their talent and I always am impressed to see students in their first production. James Coleman was such a fun and terrific surprise last year in Oklahoma.  He did a fantastic job taking on the persona of Ren this year. I am so proud of everyone and you could see the fruits of their labor ten-fold.  Congratulations on a job very well done!” – Kay Brinkley

“One of my favorite parts of the show was when the trio of girls sang together in harmony to “Holding Out for a Hero.” I loved the harmony and the memories!  Both Vivian Kuba and Clara Jane Kraska impressed me greatly. I remember Vivian last year in the play, and she had some great, smaller parts, but boy, did she shine this year. Clara Jane also hung with the big guns rather well, in my humble opinion.” – Terry Menendez

This year’s high school musical was an unforgettable experience where students got to show off their talents as well as all the time they put into putting on this production. Thank you as well to all the crew and backstage that worked hard to keep the production running smoothly.