From April 29 through May 2, students from Dawson County High School put on a production of “Footloose the Musical”, which went off without a hitch, according to the play’s director Hannah Skelton. 

“I think it turned out really great,” Skelton said. “Everybody who I heard from enjoyed it, so I would say it was definitely a success.” 

Dozens of students participated in the play, both onstage and behind the scenes running lights and audio. According to Skelton, seeing the students all working so well together in their assigned roles was a great pay-off of all of their hard work preparing for the show. 

“I’m so, so proud of the kids, just seeing the process from the beginning and then seeing the final product and how they all came together was great,” Skelton said. “That was a lot of kids that had to work as a team — I had students running all the lights and all the sound and they did a phenomenal job; they just came together and did it and it was just so amazing to see.”

The play, which was modeled after the 1984 movie Footloose, followed the story of Ren McCormack and his transition from living in big-city Chicago to the tiny town of Bomont. In addition to acting out the story, the students performed several musical numbers, complete with singing and dancing.

This story continues below. 

According to Skelton, the turnout to the play, both by community members and students from the high school, was very close to the goals she and her team set.

“My goal was to double our turnout from the fall play we did, Steel Magnolias, and we almost reached our goal,” Skelton said. “We nearly doubled the numbers as far as the audience goes, so that was really great to see. And I’m hoping that’s a trend that will keep growing as we keep doing shows. Everybody who I heard from enjoyed it, so I would say it was definitely a success.” 

After four showings of the play, the months-long project coming to an end was bittersweet for Skelton’s cast and crew.

"I think the kids all left feeling really bittersweet that it was over,” Skelton said. “They had a blast and that’s what it’s all about, so if they’re happy I’m happy.” 

Three of the students in the play will graduate this spring, but the rest of the students who participated will be able to return for future plays. According to Skelton, she will soon begin planning for the high school’s next big production. 

“We’ll be doing a fall play that we’ll also be taking to the one-act competition. and then we’ll also be doing a spring musical again next year,” Skelton said. “I don’t quite know yet what play I’m gonna do but I’ll be making that decision by the end of the year.”