With this year’s musical production Footloose right around the corner and tickets going fast, SJS News sat down with cast members Ethan (Grade 10), Emma (Grade 11) and Jacob (Grade 7) to get the details on rehearsal, their characters and what audiences can expect from this high-energy show.
Thank you for joining us today. In your own words, what is Footloose about?
ETHAN: This guy Ren moves from bustling Chicago to small town Bomont and he wants to dance but it’s been outlawed, so he starts a dancing resolution to overturn the town council’s rules.
EMMA: It’s a story about breaking free from generational expectations and carving a path as a youth in a new place. It carries a serious message in a fun way and I think it’s super important for our place in time.
JACOB: The story is also about fighting back. The rules that these teenagers face are there for a reason, but they’re able to come together for an important purpose to push back against those unreasonable rules, and I think that’s a key part of the story.
Tell us about the character you’re playing in the show?
ETHAN: I play Shaw. He’s the leader of the town and a main antagonist. He’s trying to minimize the damage of the town’s past in the only way he really knows how. There’s this big traumatic accident that really shapes his character, but you’ll have to come to the show to learn more!
EMMA: I play Ethel and she is Ren’s mom. Bomont is her home town, where they’re forced to move back to after Ren’s father leaves them. I think she struggles with feeling undervalued and shut down by the people in this small town.
JACOB: I play Bickle, one of Ren’s friends. He’s really quiet, kind of lives in his own bubble, but he’s very supportive of his friends and will stand by them when they speak up.
What have you learned from your character?
ETHAN: That’s a good question, I think I’ve learned what kind of person I don’t want to be. In my opinion, I don’t think Shaw is a bad person, but he’s in a bad mental place at the beginning of the show. On one hand he’s charismatic, but he hasn’t handled tragedy well and has become a more authoritarian person.
EMMA: Ethel is a single mom and, as a character, I think she shows a lot of resilience. She has to be strong in the background as Ren leads this revolution. It takes a lot of quiet strength and patience, which I think is a valuable lesson for everyone.
JACOB: I think Bickle shows that you don’t always have to be loud to be a part of something. He’s quiet and more of a follower, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He’s still supportive and a part of the outcome. Sometimes being quiet is good.
How is rehearsal going?
ETHAN: Overall pretty well. This is my second musical, the first one I did with my old school in Korea. It’s neat seeing how the process differs slightly, but I’d say the talent is really strong at SJS. We just need to watch our blind spots in rehearsal.
EMMA: Having been in an SJS production before, there’s always a slower buildup until the last two weeks before opening night. The vision is there and there’s a lot of passionate and excited people behind it. I’m looking forward to seeing how it’s going to turn out.
JACOB: Being in Grade 7, this is my first production. It’s been awesome to be part of the process and watch rehearsal come together, even through the ups and downs. I’m sure we can agree there’s a lot to do, but I think it will all come together and I’m excited to see what comes next.
What do you want audiences to take away from the show?
ETHAN: I know I said the show is about a revolution, but really the heart of it is about changing people’s perspectives to be more accepting of different outcomes. The power of theatre is that there’s always a message. We don’t put out a sign or explain it plainly like you do in, say, an English essay. We get to depict that message ourselves as we act out the story as these characters.
EMMA: I think the music in this show is really good. I want the audience to leave singing the songs because they are so catchy. They’re going to have so much fun.
JACOB: I want audiences to see that even when there are rules or restrictions placed on you, that’s not forever. There is always a way to speak up.
What are you most looking forward to working in a professional theatre like the Waterfront Theatre?
ETHAN: I’m excited for the backstage chaos. Every time there’s a performance something accidental happens, like a microphone being left on at the wrong time so you can hear miscellaneous cries of “WHERE IS MY PROP??”. But there are also great moments, like when you do a run through and the director has no notes to give. It’s always a great experience.
EMMA: My favourite memory from Mamma Mia! was being backstage and lip syncing to Dancing Queen with the cast. It was a really emotional moment for us during the last show. That’s a core memory for me, and I’m excited to do that again with Footloose because there are a lot of sing-along worthy songs. Holding out for a Hero is going to be fun.
JACOB: I’m excited to experience it all. Challenges, quick-changes, the stress. I love being behind the wings where you can see it all happening. So make sure you buy tickets so you can see all the fun too!
Last question just for fun: what would be your dream musical to be in?
ETHAN: Although I don’t watch a lot of musicals, I think The Greatest Showman would be a good one. I would be really excited to see the choreo for the song The Other Side.
EMMA: I recently saw Hadestown and it was incredible. The song Wait for Me was magical. That would be so cool.
JACOB: I think Matilda would be a good production, especially at SJS. I want to see who would play Miss Trunchbull.
Thank you to our performers for joining us to chat about the show. Footloose is performing at Waterfront Theatre from April 9–12 and tickets are available now.
The Parent Association Executive will be running a concession stand pre-show and at intermission at Waterfront Theatre across all the performances. Please note this is a card-only concession.
We hope to see all the SJS community supporting our performers, musicians and crew. Break a leg Eagles!
The SJS productions are made possible by the generosity of our community through Annual Giving. Help create future opportunities by visiting sjs.ca/support/annual-giving.
