With the flare of the famous 1984 musical Footloose, and the merit of Perry Theatre audience members into a Footloose frenzy. Amongst a number of experienced thespian winners there are some fresh faces to Perry theatre. Featuring junior Brandon Hayes as Ren McCormack, and senior Noelle Soucek as Ariel Moore; shows ran Feb. 18-27.

Each show proved entertaining for the audience, with crowds cheering after all 20 songs, but the connections made on stage hold even more meaning after the curtain drops. “It’s just a fun atmosphere,” says sophomore and ensemble-member Caleb Glenn. “If you’re a part of any cast at Perry, you will definitely form a close relationship. There are no small roles, only small actors,“ he explains.

Lead roles can proudly say the same. “[The cast] has definitely influenced me, especially since we have so many new people. I’d say I knew about half the cast going into it, and I’ve definitely gotten to know them a lot more,” junior Hannah Kredit says. “They’ve influenced me just by their maturity and how well they work with each other. I am amazed throughout every rehearsal and every show by their talent.” she admits.

Although much of this talent is new to PHS productions, a lot of the cast has more experience in theatre outside of the Perry stage. Kredit, who plays the pastor’s wife, Vi Moore, is all but new to the theatre world. “With this being my first lead at Perry and seeing so many of my friends do amazing, [in previous shows] I felt a lot of pressure just to be as good as them,” she says. “This is a very unique role, because usually I’m part of the ensemble, or if I was a lead, it would be a more fun role, but Vi is more conservative,” she says. “I do a lot more of the slow ballads and intense acting scenes, which is really different for me, but it’s been a good learning experience.”

Footloose is the product of hard work and dedication from the cast and crew. “Each show has a message to portray to the audience, and I think this one has a really important one,” Kredit explains. “In comparison, Perry definitely has greater expectations from student directors and everyone there,” Glenn says. “That’s probably why we are four year Reigning State Champions.”

With state awards for numerous plays, including Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twitch, Title of Show, and The Addams Family, and two national titles for What I Want to Say But Never Will, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, it is the hopes of the entire cast and crew that Footloose and the stars will shine as bright under a different spotlight.