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From the Director

Grease is usually seen as the “good girl gone bad” love story. Over the last three months of studying these characters, their motives, and watching the students work to become these people, I’ve come to realize that this description is missing the central point of the piece. On the surface, it’s the story of “cool” high school kids in the ’50s, who amuse the audience with defiant pranks and first love woes. More deeply, it deals with the struggle of growing up. Having been able to work with a lot of these students over the last two years, I realize that the students themselves are also going through a lot of these same experiences.

As I watch Sandy grow from being shy and modest to strong and confident, or Rizzo learn that being cold all the time won’t get her what she truly wants, I think back to the moments where I navigated my way through some of life's more interesting challenges during my own high school years. My hope through our rehearsals and studying of this production was that the students learned that they shouldn’t feel as though they need to hide who they truly are, but rather embrace and become that person. We look at Sandy as not one who changed her core values for Danny but as one who embraced who she truly was deep down. This is not to say that Sandy turns “bad” or Danny turns “good,” but rather that they learn how to make decisions for themselves and are able to accept their choices.

In addition to this production being an audience favorite and tons of fun, this group certainly “goes together” and will make you want to get out of your seats and Hand Jive with them. The last three months have been loads of excitement for all, and I hope that is clear through the students’ performances this weekend. So let’s throw your mittens around your kittens and away we go!

- Ms. Brittany Miller

Director/Producer