Sparkman puts on High School Musical

BY CHANDLER SHIELDS

Sparkman High School’s musical theatre department is creating a show that is said to be enjoyable to all.

Theatre teacher Sherri Ryan is the director of the program and has organized the production, while Kerri Dyer, one of the students’ mothers, has taken charge of the public relations aspect. Ryan

The theatre department is putting on its ersonalized version of “High School Musical, the Musical.” The performance will take place March 1-3 and will be performed at the Von Braun Civic Center’s Fantasy Play House.

Theatre teacher Sherri Ryan is the director of the program and has organized the production, while Kerri Dyer, one of the students’ mothers, has taken charge of the public relations aspect. Ryan has a lot of pressure, considering the type of production they are taking on. There are about 65 cast members, and this includes the “tech”, which are the students behind the scenes that make sure everything is flowing smoothly.

“It’s a bigger cast, we have to work hard and we have to learn dance numbers. It takes much longer than a regular show, but it should be awesome,” junior Darnell Sharperson said.

The long hours of rehearsals should pay off when the performance weekend comes around. They have musical rehearsals Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00-5:30, and choreography rehearsals on Saturdays from 9:00-2:00. Occasionally, they have additional musical rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“We practice so often that by the time March 1 comes around everyone will be ready. Every line and every stage movement will be perfect,” Sharperson said.

Since “High School Musical” is such a character-oriented script, there are a plethora of main roles rather than one or two. The two lead roles, Troy and Gabriella, will be performed by seniors Zachary Swanner and Chelsea Dyer. Both have taken the musical theatre class since their sophomore year.  The other main roles are Sharpay (sophomore Sandra Gates) Ryan (junior Darnell Sharperson) Zeke (freshman Roderick Sims) and Taylor (junior Grace Keys). Grace Keys is also the understudy for the main role Gabriella.

“I think it’s exciting because there are a lot of people-which is hard- but it’s definitely coming together, slowly but surely,” sophomore Keanna Swanner said.

Since there are so many roles, the department is expecting a huge outcome in audience on the days of the performance. There are 350 available seats in the Fantasy Playhouse Auditorium.  The department is selling tickets to students for $10, adults for $20 and senior adults can buy tickets for $10. They also have set aside school shows on Thursday and Friday of the performance dates.

“I’m praying for six sell-out shows… Cause I want six sell-out shows,” Sharperson said.

Other than the families of the cast filling the seats, the department has advertised in a way they hope to be successful. They have been posting fliers throughout the community, targeting specific businesses and people oriented environments.

“Aside from fliers, we have given out car magnets with the dates on them. We also had a photo shoot to reenact the classic “High School Musical” jump from the movie. The picture will go on our billboard when we find a location,” Sharperson said.

An additional feature the department is incorporating in the show is a meet-and-greet with the cast members between shows. Also, they are selling goody bags for $5 each to young children.

“If the parents buy a goody bag, their kids get to go on stage and do the original dance with the cast,” Sharperson said.

The entire production cost the department $12,000 to create the show. The script, costumes and playhouse itself accumulated several thousands of dollars. In the past year, the department has sold spirit wear, “BOB WHO?” t-shirts and coupon books. They have had car washes at Arby’s, and the department also has business and individual sponsors. Students and parents have helped pay for the program out of their own pockets.

“Surprisingly, we’ve covered the cost of the program and we have already made an $800 profit, not even including the tickets,” Sharperson said.