Even though the number of days until showtime is dwindling, the cast and crew of ‘Footloose’ are working harder than ever with rehearsals lasting longer and longer to perfect and polish the show. Wanting to find out what members of the cast do when they’re not on stage, the staff of The Fordian toured the ‘backstage’ quarters of the cast where they eat their dinners, do homework, talk, and continue rehearsal. Yes, even on break believe it or not, members of the cast of ‘Footloose’ practice dance moves, songs, and lines to ensure their time on stage will be that which the audience will remember.
Here’s a breakdown of some of what we discovered with our all access pass:
1. The backstage area is actually the music hallway! Situated between the side parking lot closest to the public library and the gym lobby, this area is shut off during rehearsal by the two massive blue fire doors to simulate a closed off environment.
2. What the cast eats for dinner! Although lacking in a ceremonial rugged and rusty suspended bell or triangle as though on the prairie (remember the whole small Midwestern town thing) the cast did have a variety of food that they ate for dinner. Here are some of the things the cast ate and drank – try some of them out sometime:
- Granola Bars
- Mountain Dew
- a granola bar with a Mountain Dew
- California sushi rolls
- broccoli bites/poppers with cheese
- a balanced meal that includes fruits, vegetables and starches and by starches they mean fries
- Chinese food
- slices of Cenzo’s Pizza, chicken fingers, and fries (again it’s pronounced with a CHE sound as is the popular drink cappuccino – cah-poo-CHEE-noh)
- a Caesar salad
- a chicken Caesar salad
- one turkey sandwich
- “food my mom dropped off” (they didn’t specify)
- sparkling juices
- Wonton soup
- “I had a sandwich then I had chips then I had tasty-cakes then I had Chinese food then I had soda then I had water”.
3. What cast members do whilst not in the spotlight! Even the lead in the musicale is not on stage for the entire time, and the rest of the cast is in the same boat in that they have breaks backstage when they are not on. Here’s some of the things they do to pass the time until they need to cut loose and get back in the lime light:
- Seniors Victoria and Julia Barbuto drink tea and talk to their friends
- Junior Issy Swantak uses the opportunity to use the bathroom and change costumes (she has over 5 costume changes)
- Junior Bridget Murray catches up on some calculus homework
- Sophomore Nora Melton says that she ‘chills’ backstage and does homework while hanging out with friends
- Producer Ms. McCool said “Are you recording this? I’m going to get food. All of the directors talk to each other…stop interrupting me, ok, alright, I’m leaving”
- Junior Jack Durfee rehearses his other takes and “does whatever I [he] can to help The Fordian backstage”
- Sophomore Gillian Watson does her English homework
- practice their dances or lines in some way.
- rest/sleep/relax
- use their phones
- eat food (i.e. their dinner see above)
- get their props ready
- talk to the staff of The Fordian
Junior Bridget Murray sips on a WaWa “F’real” milkshake while doing some calculus homework during her break.
Junior Aaron Franklin relaxes by lying down backstage during one of his breaks. Franklin said it’s good “to get away from it all” during his downtime to keep focused.
The show features a variety of different and special props, some of which are fake cigarettes that really give off that good looking rebel who plays by his own rules sort of vibe. Here Danny Murphy, Kate McDermott, and Jack Durfee stop to test their fake cigarettes out before bringing them back to rehearsal and look off in the distant “too cool for school” way.
Note: The Fordian is of course against smoking or any other tobacco related behavior and is not advertising fake cigarettes, we are merely trying to show how these actors and actress get into character and make the show better. Again, we are against smoking and do not condone or support it just to maybe clear some things up.
Juniors Meghan Westefer and Skylar Forrest check their phones for a moment while they eat a snack during one of their breaks.
While on their way back to rehearsal, the same trio stopped to get into character by fake smoking outside of Dr. Nesbitt’s office. These three have gone the method acting route, really trying to become the characters they play in the show. By talking, thinking, and even smoking like the characters they will play on stage, the members of the cast are able to “be” different and improve the quality of the show.
Incognito • Mar 18, 2015 at 9:38 am
The cast and crew of Footloose have put in so much work and these detailed articles written by Colin McCrossan really show how incredible this show will be. Thanks to the Fordian staff from the cast and crew of Footloose!