Footloose, the spring musical for the 2025-2026 school year, brought energy, music, and of course, dancing to the stage at St. Thomas Aquinas. The story centers around Ren McCormack (played by junior Ethan Schaefer), a teenager who moves to a small town called “Bomont” where dancing and rock music have been banned. Ren and his friends are determined to challenge the town’s rules and push for change. Meanwhile, the Reverend Moore (played by senior Cody Straka) resists change in the community.
For many students involved in the show, actors in the backstage crew, and spectators, the experience was a meaningful and memorable one.
“Theater is such a great environment,” said sophomore Mickenna Desroches, who worked with costumes. “It allows you to be creative and see your hard work pay off, whether it is on stage or behind the wings.”
Stage crew members say that the friendships they have formed during the production’s rehearsals and performances are some of the most memorable parts of the experience.
Junior Valeria Leon said that volunteering on the set of Footloose brought her many new friends. “My favorite moment was meeting everyone on the stage crew and becoming close to them, especially during the Saturday show,” said Valeria.
“I joined the backstage crew because my friends were doing it too,” said freshman Juliana Leith, who worked backstage. “I had a very good experience. It was fun getting to hang out with my friends. My favorite moment was when my friends and I would talk before each show started and when Cody did his “weather the weather.” Senior students participated in the “weather the weather” tradition, which involves a warm-up tongue-twister as well as advice and well wishes for underclassmen. Before each show, the cast and crew repeated the chant in unison: “Whether the weather is cold or whether the weather is hot, we will be together whenever the weather, whether we like it or not!”
The musical also featured memorable songs and lines that stuck with cast members. Senior Bailee Seraphine, a stage manager, particularly loved a line from Willard’s song: “Momma says it does not matter if you are a king or you are a clown.”
This experience was just as meaningful for the actors. Senior David Baron said he never expected to join the musical but ended up having a great experience, especially during late-night rehearsals, backstage chaos, preparing for the shows, and even learning the line dances.
Footloose was senior Dylan Saito’s first time playing a villain after spending the last four years playing good guys. He played Chuck Cranston, a jealous and abusive bad boy who antagonizes the main character, Ren. Dylan said, “Getting the chance to play Chuck… was definitely [his] favorite role ever because it ‘gave [him] the opportunity to be someone completely different.'” Like many other seniors, Dylan said that “knowing it was [his] last role at STA was bittersweet.” He continued, “I got to really let loose and have fun playing such a terrible guy during my last opportunity to perform at STA and spend time with my friends. I am sad that it is all over, but I will look back on the memories of those productions and the people close to me as my favorite moments during my time at STA.”
The production garnered a lot of attention at school, with multiple performances selling out. The final show was Senior Night, a chance to celebrate the seniors who have spent years in STA theater. They received flowers and goodie bags; at the end, the senior cast and crew took a bow together. One senior described the bow after the performance concluded as “a bittersweet moment marking the end of [our] time on the STA stage.” Senior David Baron said that the applause made him feel “appreciated” and showed that “all of the late-night rehearsals and efforts we put in were worth it.”
This production relied on the collaboration between many people on and off stage, working under the direction of Ms. Garrard. Technical Director, Xander Snell, guided the students in his technical theater class to create all of the lighting and audio effects for the production. Without their expert mentoring, Footloose would not have been possible. All members involved in this production deserve to be recognized as they spent hours after school preparing. The stage managers, crew, makeup artists, costume designers, actors, and audience all worked together to make this a wonderful show to remember!
