PCS to perform “High School Musical” May 2

The Perkins County Schools one act/musical performance of “High School Musical” will hit the stage Sunday, May 2 at 3 p.m. at the high school.

Due to concerns about COVID the one act season and fall musical at PCS were both cancelled.

“We weren’t going to have a musical at all,” said Assistant Director Nicole Putnam. “Our numbers were still high as far as COVID was concerned, and our stage is pretty small. The idea of trying to have 40-plus kids, which is how many normally go out for one act, on this stage just didn’t seem feasible at that time.

As COVID numbers in the area decreased it was decided that, in order to give the students an opportunity to perform in the fine arts, the one act and musical would collaborate for a performance.

Emily Hauck is the Head Director of the show, and Ronda Baumfalk and Putnam, who normally direct the one act show, are Assistant Directors.

Hauck said she was looking through Musical Theater International’s shows on their website, and had it narrowed down to about three shows.

“I know that kids really get excited when they see ‘High School Musical’ come across the screen, so I thought that might be fun,” Hauck said.

The kids decided on the Disney movie’s script, and the group got to work.

The description of the show, according to Musical Theater International, is as follows:

“It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the new year. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical that is being led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the ‘status quo,’ Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.”

Auditions for the show were held the week of March 22, and rehearsals started the week after, on March 29. Because both one act and musical both happen in the fall, it has been difficult to work around regular spring activity schedules, according to the directors.

The cast and crew have to work around such activities as track, golf, FFA, speech, the music program and quiz bowl, so Hauck, Baumfalk and Putnam have had to create a schedule for practices around that involving early mornings and late evenings.

Not only has the schedule been difficult to create, but the group gets a month to a month and a half less rehearsal than they normally would during a regular musical or one act season.

“It’s been a crazy time, but we wanted to give the kids a chance to perform in the fine arts, especially those who are seniors as this would be their last chance,” Putnam said.

To read the full story, subscribe by calling the Tribune at 308-352-4311 or sign up for an e-edition by clicking here.