Grease Coming to the SHS Stage

SHS Theater Club’s Grease cast at rehearsal

Photo: Grace Pearson 

By Grace Pearson, Sanford High School Senior 

Rehearsals are underway for the Sanford High School Theater Club’s spring musical, Grease, which will be performed at the end of March. The show tells the story of Danny Zuko, leader

of the greaser gang, the “T-Birds,” and Sandy Dumbrowski, the sweet and innocent new girl at school. It tackles social issues like peer pressure and gang violence. The lead roles of Danny and Sandy will be played by Ben Terril and Ava Fagan, both with lots of theater experience.

Terril who has done theater his whole life, is excited about the classic nature of the show. Fagan, who started in fourth grade shared, “I think what excites me about this show is it’s such a classic and Sandy has always been a dream role of mine. So, getting to play her is so exciting for me.”

Director Brett Williams described Grease as “the sugar of musical theater.” He’s hoping the fun energy comes off the stage and that “people leave having forgotten about their real lives for just a little while and just step into this escape and enjoy. Because that’s what it’s all about with this show.”

Terril, Fagan, and Williams recommend their favorite songs from the show. Terril enjoys “Born to Hand Jive,” “We Go Together” and “Greased Lightning”; Fagan enjoys “Hopelessly Devoted” and “You’re the One that I Want” and Williams’ favorite is “Beauty School Drop-Out” noting “it’s just this dream world song that’s shoehorned into the plot.” He recalls seeing actor Billy Porter perform the song in 1994, which left a lasting impression.

The show will have some fun special effects too. Williams notes, “we just got these new high intensity foggers that we’re just going to blast and fog up the stage like we’re in the clouds.”

Rehearsals currently take place Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for two and a half hours with more intense sessions in March. During the final week before the show, rehearsals extend to five or six hours every night.

Cast members also put in a lot of time and effort outside of school, while balancing other activities at the same time. Some work with voice teachers and coaches outside of rehearsal. Terril describes “a lot of tiers” to the music including the lines, delivery, character and vocals. He says a voice teacher “can really take it to the next level.”

Some students also do other activities and sports in addition to theater. Terril has to balance school, theater and varsity basketball. He feels lucky that his schedule allows him to balance everything and that he loves them all enough that, “I have to be able to manage this.” He appreciates the support he receives from Backstage Director Kristie Baker and Mr. Williams.

Williams works closely with the production department, choreographers and the Music Director, Ryan Geary. He thinks of it as “tiers on a cake” working with songs, then dancing and adding scripting. “We just keep building it up and up. At the end we’re adding costumes, seats, sounds and lights. It takes planning to coordinate and unite seven independent visions into one.”

“I really love the bonding that happens with the cast and watching them form a family and a tight group of friends. When it’s all said and done, they’ve really been on a long incredible journey and created something awesome together. They’ve presented something, and it’s a lifelong memory that they’re never going to forget. That’s really special and it’s something that I wish every high school kid had,” said Williams. 

Both Terril and Fagan say the people they meet and friendships they make with the cast and crew are their favorite parts about doing theater. Terril says, “Of any show I’ve done, it’s just the one to have fun. The more fun I’m having on stage, the more fun people are going to be having in the audience…we’re just really having a blast out there.” Fagan says, “Come see the show. It’s going to be really awesome and fun!”

Performances are scheduled for March 28 at 7 pm, March 29 at 2 pm and 8 pm and March 30 at 2 pm. There will also be a show for students on Thursday, March 27.