By Jamie Lasorsa
A new creative team, as well as a cast of many new faces, has been assembled for Sterling Community Theatre’s upcoming production of School Of Rock. They couldn’t be more excited to share with the community what they have worked so hard to put together over the past 3+ months.
School of Rock, a musical based on the popular 2003 film starring Jack Black, follows the antics and blunders of Dewey Finn, an unemployed rock singer who lands himself in a substitute teaching role at a prestigious prep school and proceeds to form a rock band of musical prodigies, all in an attempt to win a Battle of the Bands contest to win some much needed cash.
An amazing 108 hopeful participants came out to audition. This production definitely piqued the interest of many within Sterling, Princeton, and the surrounding communities. A final cast of 53 were selected in late June and they prove to be a very eclectic bunch. The cast is collectively made up of actors of all ages, 29 youth members-the youngest being 8, and 24 adult members. 11 families are represented by multiple family members participating, a few of these families being from Sterling/Princeton. First Church Pastor Robin Bartlett’s family has made this a family event, with holding 4 spots in the cast! The cast travels from miles around, coming from towns as far as Chelmsford, Lowell, and Worcester, and has a large population of the First Church community being represented. Much of the cast, 35 participants, are newcomers to the SCT community, bringing new enthusiasm and a wide array of musical and instrumental abilities.
This production has a great mix of old and new representing the creative team. Director, Kate Sheridan, a Rutland native and Wachusett Regional High School graduate, makes her SCT debut, although she is no stranger to the stage! Having both undergraduate and graduate degrees in theatre (Holy Cross & NYU, respectively), she has been involved in teaching, coaching, and directing at numerous institutions such as, the Hanover Theatre Conservatory, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Theatre at the Mount, and is now serving as the Education Director for Reagle Music Theatre in Waltham, MA. Kate is currently the Director of Youth & Adult Programs at First Church and found this production a great way for the church community to get involved. SCT was founded 26 years ago by church member Susan Galvin in an effort to utilize the stage and space within the parish hall. Since the first production of Godspell in fall of 1997, SCT has produced at least one show per year, with incredible support from not only The First Church of Sterling, but the community as a whole.
Producer, E. Leigh Zongrone, originally from upstate New York, brings a true passion for the arts. Moving from the stage to the production team, E. Leigh has leveraged their professional skills in a setting that has been a source of passion since adolescence. “Creating a safe, successful, and supportive environment to create art for the community is an honor” said E, to do this with their college best friend, Kate Sheridan is a dream.
The rest of the creative team is made up of Stage Manager Jill Whitney, Music Director Mike Hoffman, Choreographer Kaden Scopelliti, and Assistant Director/Producer Abby Waterhouse, all who have been part of previous SCT performances. “We all have gotten to really learn from each other this summer with unique perspectives being able to be seen, heard, and shared by the whole community.” – Abby Waterhouse.
The musical, taking place for two weekends in mid-September, will hold 6 shows: 4 evening and 2 afternoon performances, and is sure to have you dancing in your seats and laughing in the aisles. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended and can be purchased through the SCT website: sterlingtheatre.com/tickets. After the enthusiasm and spirit I witnessed from the entire cast and crew during a pop-in at rehearsal, I am really looking forward to seeing the full production. The energy from this group is contagious! Hope to see you there!