Wauzeka-Steuben students never shy away from a challenge, and they are ready to prove it with their fall production of Footloose, which debuts on Thursday, Nov. 6.
The story revolves around Ren McCormack, a big-city teen who moves to a small town where dancing is banned, and his romantic interest in the daughter of the town reverend.
“My right to dance... when I want, where I want and how I want is a right that cannot be taken away! It is mine,” MaCormack tells Reverend Moore, setting the two men on a collision course that will literally and figuratively rock Moore’s idyllic hamlet.
The play is based on the blockbuster 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon and John Lithgow and directed by Herbert Ross. This will be the second production in which Wauzeka-Steuben students adapt a film by Ross after Steel Magnolias (1989) earlier this year.
Claudia Walz, a senior, plays Coach Dunbar, who sides with Moore against Ren and the town’s youth.
“The kids want to dance, but there’s a rule in their town that there’s no dancing. So, they’re going back and forth throughout the play,” she said.
Walz has participated in the school’s theater productions and other extracurriculars since her sophomore year.
“It’s a fun atmosphere, and we’re all like a big family,” she said. “They’re really fun to be part of.”
Adapting a modern film makes this year’s musical a unique production—there’s a big difference between the rock and roll jams and previous productions, like The Sound of Music or The Crucible.
“It’s cool because you don’t see many plays with the pop music,” said Theodore Millin, who plays Willard. “I enjoy being a part of it, and it’s something new.”
The film is well-known for its titular song by Kenny Loggins and “Let’s Hear It for the Boys,” both of which were nominated for an Academy Award. The musical elements offer the students an opportunity to experiment with choreography.
“It has a lot of choreography, and we’ve never done a lot of big dances before. So, I say that’s the biggest challenge: learning our steps, basically,” said Molli Hooker, who plays Willard’s girlfriend, Rusty.
Hooker, a senior, has participated in eight school productions, and what she values the most is the time she gets to spend working with her friends to bring a story to life.
“I really love acting and theater in general,” she said. “I think it’s super fun. I love the time with my friends. We always have the best time backstage, even when we don’t know our lines... We lean on and rely on each other and hold each other accountable.”
Earlier this month, the students convened at Doll Gym to practice their scenes and memorize their lines. They’re optimistic that Wauzeka will come out to watch them bring an iconic 80s story to life.
“We have a really good community, and there’s always a good turnout. It’s always fun to see everyone in the crowd,” said Walz. “Parents come to multiple shows, which is really fun to see.”
Wauzeka-Steuben’s production of Footloose will hold shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Nov. 6 to 8, in the Doll Gym at 7 p.m.
