“Tell Me More!”: Words from the Cast of Grease

This article is “the one that you want” to read if you want to learn more about what the performers in this November’s production of Grease do when they are not on stage, as well as what caused them to become “hopelessly devoted” to musical theatre. As one of those performers, I took the opportunity to interview and gain some insight from lots of my fellow cast members. Here is what they had to say:

 

Question: What is your favorite part about being in Grease/theatre?

Cast: “I love watching a show come to life, step by step. The difference between the first rehearsal and the last day of tech is so amazing to see the amount of work put in and the result.”

 

“The large cast and fun dance numbers. The lifts and choreography are a lot of fun.”

 

“The community of the people in it because they are so nice.”

 

“My favorite part about Grease is the community and I love singing and learning all the new songs.”

 

“My favorite part about being in Grease is getting to perform and sing all the fun and iconic musical numbers. I also love getting to go through the whole process with all my great friends!”

 

“My favorite part about being in grease is the exciting musical numbers and overall performing on stage.”

 

“The community of people. I have met some of my closest friends through the shows here at OLU”

 

“Probably getting to sing Mooning with Peyton and also getting to just experience my first musical”

 

“Working with the super fun cast and making memories with the people I call family while doing what I love most!”

 

“The family aspect and getting to meet so many new people.”

 

Question: How do you prepare for your role?

Cast: “For me personally, I focus more on the choreography aspect, because I struggle more in that area. I make sure to ask questions and put time/effort into each musical number I participate in.”

 

“I look over the meaning of my lines, and what the context and opinions of my character are.”

 

“I study the time period of what the role is in and the character itself, their characteristics and the way they act alone and to others.”

 

“Practice, practice, PRACTICE!!”

 

“For this role I had to learn how to play a guitar from scratch so I took some lessons for that. I also prepare by just going through the rehearsals and discovering new ways to change and do my lines and songs.”

 

“I study my character by identifying his objectives and I memorize my lines.”

 

“Practicing outside of rehearsal”

“I play around with different ideas I have for the character and I try to just put my best foot forward even if I fail”

 

“I study the script and establish my character’s motivation behind each line, and dedicate time to practice at home along with putting all my best effort into every rehearsal. I also take vocal lessons and am involved in Choir, Acting, and Dance classes which helps me improve my craft and knowledge daily! Asking directors for feedback and taking it all with an open heart and mind also allows me to best prepare!”

 

“I practice dancing in the mirror and sing while running to build up my stamina.”

 

Question: What are some things that most people would be surprised to know about being in a musical?

Cast: “The amount of work we put into it! We have rehearsals for many hours every week, and especially during tech week.”

 

“How much time it takes for lighting during tech week.”

 

“It’s a workout.”

 

“That it’s harder than it looks and takes lots of time and practice.

 

“It takes a lot of work and is incredibly tiring when done the right way.”

 

“It is a bigger time commitment than most people think.”

 

“The amount of time and energy it takes to put on one of these shows. We work countless hours to learn music, choreo, and so much more.”

 

“it takes a lot of brain work”

 

“Truly anyone can do it if you apply yourself and are dedicated and willing to work hard! And you will have much more fun than you would expect going in!”

 

“How important the ensemble is and that everyone is seen, not just the leads.”

 

Question: Why did you want to be in Grease? 

Cast: “I wanted to be in Grease because of my passion for the Arts and my love of theater.”

 

“I love being able to act as a character and make choices throughout the show.”

 

“Because I love musicals and Grease always seemed like a fun musical to be in.”

 

“It’s one of my favorite musicals and it’s my first one here at OLU”

 

“I always do musicals, no matter what. Just so much fun.”

 

“I wanted to be in Grease because no matter what role you are in, you have fun with your friends while dancing and singing on stage.”

 

“I wanted to be in Grease because I had so much fun in Xanadu and I want to continue doing this throughout high school”

 

“because I want to be an actor and I wanted to do a musical”

 

“I wanted to be in Grease because I have been doing theater since I was 4, and I want to take every opportunity to continue to do what I love.”

 

“I love the movie, I always have and after transferring to a new school it was a great way to meet new people with similar interests”

 

Question: How has being in the theatre program changed your highschool experience/ other areas of your life?

Cast: “I’ve had so many new experiences from just being in the show, not just that but i’ve also been pushed by not just my peers, but pushing myself to become better.”

 

“It changed me by giving me an entire new community that I can be a part of, rather than my non-theatre friends who don’t support me as the theatre kids do. It gave me a real perspective on how kind high schoolers could be.”

 

“Theater has changed me by helping me be more confident.”

 

“My high school experience is centered around theatre. From my classes during the day to rehearsals after. It has also given me something to shoot for in life.”

 

“It has transformed my high school experience by giving me the opportunity to perform and express myself. It has also enabled me to meet so many new people.”

 

“It has positively affected my high school experience by surrounding me with people who have my same interests and giving me a place to be myself.”

 

“It’s made me understand why I want to pursue it and I’ve found community”

 

“Being in the theater program has allowed me to grow as a person in my maturity, work-ethic, reliability, professionalism, positivity, and hardworking drive! I have also become connected to a great community of people and have made some of my favorite memories in high school!”

 

“It has allowed me to meet friends that I will have for a long time and cherish forever.”

 

Question: What new skills have you learned from being in a musical?

Cast: “I have learned how to be more coordinated in my movement.”

 

“Public speaking really does play into acting, especially having the projection and annunciation necessary for speaking.”

 

“The importance of stretching before dance, acting in general, and the importance of breathing in singing.”

“A new skill I’ve learned is definitely dancing. Singing is my strong suit and learning to dance better has helped me in the musical.”

 

“Everything I have learned about theatre mostly in my life has come from experiencing musicals.”

 

“I have strengthened my skills in dancing, singing, playing and acting. But I have also learned how to work with a team very efficiently.”

 

“dancing probably”

 

“How to sing and dance at the same time while also keeping acting and facials.”

 

Question: What would you say to someone who doesn’t like theatre?

Cast: “Don’t knock it till you see it or try it. You’re not considered “weird” if you do it, you’re just pursuing your passions just like everyone else who is a theatre kid.”

 

“Come see a show! You’ll see just how much fun they can be.”

 

“Why? It’s so fun and you make so many friends doing it!”

 

“I would ask them if they have tried it because I wouldn’t believe someone wouldn’t like it.”

 

“Open your mind to it. It’s just for fun!”

 

“I would ask you why because it is so entertaining.”

“try it out and don’t be an idiot”

 

“I would say they can’t judge it until they try it”

 

“People who say that don’t typically take the time to see if they like it or not, give it a chance first.”

 

“Come see a show at the Nechita: it’ll change your mind”

 

Question: How do you balance being in Grease with other responsibilities?

Cast: “just do. I just try to get all my homework and studying done on my few days free.”

 

“I am able to balance Grease with all my other activities by staying on top of my school work and communication”

 

“I do my homework during my free periods so I can devote my extra time to practicing harmonies, dance numbers, etc.”

 

“I do homework when I’m not on stage or during lunch.”

 

“I do homework in my off time or when I get home. Other than that, anytime I can fit in something else I squeeze it into a time when I have no rehearsal.”

 

“I maximize my down time and do homework when I am not needed on stage during rehearsal.”

 

“i don’t know, its my first musical so i’m slowly getting the hang of it, really tiring but really worth while”

 

“I plan my schedule accordingly around rehearsals. Although I am super involved with many things, I always make sure to set aside designated time to finish school work and just allow myself to rest.”

 

“Having a routine in the morning and keeping up healthy habits everyday.”

 

“Work as hard as you can, and only participate in the things that bring you life and passion.”

 

Question: Why is theatre important in high school?

Cast: “Because it gives one of the strongest life-changing communities in high school. It also can improve your confidence in general, especially public speaking or social skills. With the dance aspect it improves your athleticism, flexibility, and your overall mental health.”

 

“To give all people an opportunity to find something they love”

 

“I feel like theater helps people bring out their true self and express themselves in ways they didn’t know they could.”

 

“It is a way to show off all your skills and meet so many more people.”

 

“It’s the same as any other program, it prepares kids who want to pursue it one day. Just like any other sport or program.”

 

“Theatre is very important in high school because it offers a creative outlet for kids and trains the ones who want to pursue it full time.”

 

“because it makes people feel things”

 

“It puts people out of their comfort zone and gives experiences that not necessarily other things have.”

 

“Theatre in high school is important because it teaches people how to better communicate, to express yourself, and how to share your talents with others.”

 

Question: Anything else you want to share?

Cast: “JOIN THEATER!!!”

 

“I am very happy to be a part of theatre, very blessed”

 

Each cast member I interviewed also said that participating in the theatre program is one of their favorite parts of their high school experience; it’s definitely one of mine as well! It’s an easy decision to make, especially considering all of the awesome aspects like the ones my cast mates mentioned. Aspects such as community, improving skills, artistic expression, confidence building, self care, time management, teamwork, and creating lasting memories are just a few of the great qualities that make performing in musical theatre the best choice of extracurriculars. My cast mates’ positivity and enthusiasm in their responses toward being part of Grease make it clear that high school and theatre “go together” like “ramma-lamma-lamma-ka-dingity-da-dinga-dong”, and that’s the way it should be!