Director credits assistants, students with keeping show running

By JASON TIDD

Staff writer

A broken hip hasn’t kept play director Janet Killough from polishing up the acting of Marion students, but it did throw her what she called a monkey wrench.

“It goes on no matter what,” she said. “The kids have been such troopers. It’s hard when you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Killough credited her assistants and the students with keeping the show running in her absence, especially assistant director Katie Rahe.

“She has been amazing to take over for a week without me,” Killough said.

Vocal teacher Tomas Lambotte assists with singing, while Karla Telganov accompanies on piano.

Marion graduates Jay Dee Schafers and Braden Fahey assisted with choreography and sets.

“That’s what I love, the kids will come back and help with a production because they love the theatre so much,” Killough said. “It warms my heart.”

Killough said “Back to the 80’s … The Totally Awesome Musical!” will have the largest cast of a Marion play in many years with over 50 students involved in the production. About half the cast is inexperienced.

“We have so many kids that have never been on this stage before,” she said. “Theatre would help anyone, no matter what career they choose, it would help them be successful.”

Students have been working on the production for six or seven weeks, but the week before opening night is especially stressful — and, some students started winter sports practices this week.

“That week before you never think it’s going to come together, and then it does,” she said.

The play is new to Killough and the Marion High School theatre department, which is the way Killough likes it.

“I want to do one I haven’t seen before and one the kids haven’t seen before,” she said. “That way they don’t have a preconceived idea of what it’s supposed to be like. I want them to have their own characters.”

She said the play is family-friendly.

“Most people will really appreciate the songs,” she said. “Most people will recognize the songs; even the kids were familiar with them.”

Familiar music is just one way students work to entertain the audience.

“They don’t work so hard to be good,” Killough said, “they want the audience to have a good time.”