Rehearsals for the 2025 musical “Disaster!” will officially start on Nov. 3. A jukebox comedy that takes place in the 1970s, the show features characters trapped in a floating casino who face various natural disasters including earthquakes, tidal waves and fires. “Disaster!” will include students from the theatre, Majestics, band and orchestra, allowing multiple fine art departments to work together.
For three months, students will work diligently on blocking, rehearsing lines, choreography and more to put the final show together. They’ll have rehearsals before and after school, with occasional weekend practices, to ensure the performance runs smoothly. Although it takes a lot of time and dedication, students are looking forward to collaborating with everyone on different aspects of the show.
“I really am looking forward to the dances. It’s my favorite part of musicals,” Holden Scott, 11, said. “They’re so fun and everyone work[s] together, and it’s just like a magical moment that I can’t get anywhere else.”
Since the dance department is involved with the production, the choreography will elevate the performance and add new styles.
“I’m looking forward to just collaborating with everybody… with the Majestics and dancers and with the theater program,” Natalie Wilson, 10, said. Wilson will get the opportunity to choreograph one of the dances, since she’s part of both Majestics and Theater.
However, because of the large number of people involved with the show, it might be difficult to coordinate all of the students.
“I think we’re definitely going to make the most of it and have a great time but I think we’re going to get a little loud and a little talkative,” Scott said. “We’re all such good friends and it’s such a strong community that we’re gonna goof off a little and that’ll probably be the biggest obstacle.”
Although they might be noisy, the enthusiasm from the students is sure to make the performance one to remember. While others might view rehearsals as overwhelming commitments, “Disaster!” performers know how lucky they are to be a part of the cast and crew.
“The time you spend here doesn’t have to feel like work or as draining as it can be if you have the right mindset and if you enjoy the time here,” Scott said. “You can choose to take that extra step and put yourself a little more out there and enjoy the time you have here to the point where you’re excited to come to rehearsals… [plus,] you get to hang out with your friends almost every day.”
They’re especially excited for the weeks right before the show, when all of their hard work comes together right before their eyes.
“Dress rehearsals [are my favorite,] because you get to put on your outfits. I’m an old lady so I’m wearing an old lady wig, and you already know I’m going to be in a Miu Miu or something,” Wilson said.
On the actual performance day, the cast and crew appreciates watching their family and friends enjoy the final show.
“You get to see your family in the audience and … see[ing] the smile on their faces, it just makes it worth it,” Wilson said.
The students just hope the audience enjoys their production and understands how much hard work is put into it.
“I hope the audience understands that this is a parody and making fun [of] other disaster movies like “Titanic”,” Scott said. “The plot itself is good but a lot of the jokes are referencing or all the niche stereotypes in all the other disaster movies, so that’s going to be fun.”
Make sure to come see the show Jan. 22-24!
