"Footloose is a journey of forgiveness and redemption, a story of healing and uplift...filled with a lot of nifty songs." - Dean Pitchford
This is my second time directing Footloose at Folsom High. Anytime a director revisits a show, it is important to give the new production a fresh and original concept of its own. I chose this show for a variety of reasons, but one of the main reasons was to give our students the opportunity to go back and explore playing roles of ordinary people. Those of us who are familiar with the story of Footloose often describe it as the story, "about the town where dancing is against the law." The author of the film and musical, Dean Pitchford, states that his vision of Footloose is, "actually the story of a man who's lost his son, a boy who's lost his father, and how those two help each other to heal." Creating a production that showcases the relationships and emotions of these characters is at the heart of this production of Footloose.
This show has been a huge undertaking and I am grateful to the entire community for all of the help and support. My sincere thanks goes out to the following people:
Melanie– Thank you for bringing these great 80's jams to our stage this year. Cindy & Nina– Footloose would not be what it is tonight without your amazing choreography! Bryan– Thank you for overseeing and managing so many projects, technical needs, and student work crews. Jill, Jeanine & the costume moms – thank you for costuming so many actors and for all your attention to detail. We truly wouldn't have a show without you all! Emily & Susan- thank you for coordinating all of the meals and volunteers. Thank you for keeping all of us happy and fed! Advanced Tech. Students- thank you for embracing this production and seeing it through to the opening. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed! FHS Staff and Administration- thank you for supporting the students, this show, and this program. Cast and Crew– Thank you for your endless energy and commitment! You are storytellers, dancers & artists. Congratulations on a great show! To the parents of the cast and crew- thank you for volunteering for all of the jobs that needed to be done. And thank you for supporting your students through the show and for raising such wonderful, polite young adults. They are a pleasure to direct.
To Michael– Thank you for the many things, large and small, you do to bring the show to the stage. Thank you for embracing my concept and designing another creative set. Your attention to detail, grand vision, and endless effort always brings us to the finish line! I know I can always count on you! Here's to weeknight production sessions, Friday night prop shopping dates, Saturday set construction, and dinners in the classroom! I couldn't do it without you, and I wouldn't want to.
And a final thank you to YOU, the audience, thank you for your support of educational theatre. You are supporting so many artists and their dreams. Without you it would only be a dress rehearsal!
We hope you enjoy our production of Footloose...and all the nifty songs.
Tamara Mosier
Director
