Musical hits the stage this week

Thespians, musicians and vocalists will hit the stage during the Green River High School's rendition of School of Rock.

This musical is about an overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn, who is played by Wolfgang Dittman. Finn gets kicked out of his bar band and desperately needs to find work.

He poses as a substitute teacher at an elite, private elementary school where he exposes the children to hard rock. The musical is scheduled to take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

This GRHS musical is directed by Bradlee Skinner who said the musical will be about the same rating as the movie, which is PG-13. Skinner said he knows the PG-13 rating means it's not necessarily for everyone, but it's a great show and he picked this musical because they would be the first Wyoming high school to put on the performance.

"The uniqueness and novelty of it is appealing," Skinner said.

"We knew it would be something a lot of the community will get behind and GRHS has the kids with the talent to do it," he said.

Putting on a musical of the magnitude has been challenging.

He said he's been working with the music department to find students who can play the instruments and vocalists who can sing the parts. Skinner said it has been an entire school effort finding the right talent for the show.

If the vocalists weren't interested in performing, they were asked to give actors tips on how to sing.

"The most rewarding part is seeing how incredibly talented these kids are," Skinner said.

He's not just talking about those performing in the musical, but those who helped build the set, run the lights and apply makeup. The set construction had to take place after school and on weekends. This year, students sixth grade through 12th grade had the opportunity to participate.

Emilee Jensen, a sixth-grade student on the tech crew, said she had been learning a lot building the set and moving things, but that's not the only thing she enjoys.

"My favorite part is being able to meet all of the high schoolers," she said.

Dittman, who usually works on the tech crew, said he saw a part he didn't want to pass up so moved from the tech crew to the cast.

"I went for the part because I feel I am Dewey (Finn) in a way," Dittman said. "I feel like this is going to be one of the best shows of my career."

Dittman may be new to the stage, but he feels his speech and debate background will help him because the interpretive events he competed in where basically acting in front of judges.

He has also been playing the guitar for six to seven years and knows that encouraged him to go for the part.

"Come to the show. It's going to be a good show," Dittman said.

Cast Members  

Dewey Finn played by Wolfgang Ditman

Rosalie Mullins played by Lynzi Johnson

Ned Schneebly played by Aaron Allred

Patty DiMarco played by Sandra Figenser 

Summer Hathaway played by Isabell Salas  

Tomika Williams-Spencer played by Artina Karimi  

Zack Mooneyham played by Jaron Shereda  

Freddie Hamilton played by Jocelyn Johnson  

Katie Travis played by Sarah Lockwood  

Lawrence Turner played by Elijah Kropf  

Billy Sandford played by Timmy Golightly  

Mason Ward played by Ethan Peterson  

Marcy played by Laural Kurth  

Shonelle played by Beth Figenser  

Sophie played by Hannah Skinner  

Madison played by Mikayla Green  

James played by Christian Lee  

Mrs. Sheinkopf played by Bailee Clark  

Mrs. Noble played by Chatney Tirrell  

Mrs. Green played by Trista Parry  

Mr. Gabe Brown played by Kaleb Braithwaite  

Ms. Sanders played by Emmalee Skinner  

Ms. Gordon played by Jordan Ferrell  

Ms. Bingham played by Kamryn Ferrell  

Ms. Woodward played by Elora Siler  

Ms. Janes played by Jordan Ferrell  

Ms. Macapugay played by Kiyona Howard  

Mrs. Wagner played by Emmie Archibald  

Mr. Mooneyham played by Raymond Garcia

Mrs. Hathaway played by Madisyn Mende  

Mrs. Williams played by Jenna Robertson  

Mrs. Spencer played by Katherine Skinner  

Mr. Sandford played by Zakery Redden  

Mrs. Ward played by Alli Cordova  

Mr. Hamilton played by Dallin Hoyt  

Mrs. Turner played by Aundra Drinkle  

Marcy's Mother played by Amber Gambles  

Jeff Sanderson played by Preston Bartlett  

Security Guard played by Coty Nikont  

Security Guard played by Clint Landon  

Bar Tender played by Justin Lamb  

Bar Patron played by Denise Mosely  

Bar Patron played by Marisa DeClercq  

Police Officer played by Ken Yeager  

Waitress played by Savana Smith  

Emo Girl played by Savana Smith  

Emo Girl played by Harmonie Rose Vaughn  

Video Game Voice Over played by Phil Harder  

Theo played by Jon Weed  

Doug played by Sarah Kropf  

Bob played by Will Allen  

Snake played by Keenan Wilson  

Announcer played by Karl Schnackenberg  

Crew Members

Director: Bradlee W. Skinner  

Assistant Director: Preston Bartlett  

Stage Manager: Treyson Rasmussen  

Light Board Operator :Robin Bowles  

Sound Board Operator: Kaden Lowe  

Music Cue Operator: Treyson Rasmussen  

Projectionist: Doug Walker  

Makeup Artist: Lauren Ruefer  

Makeup Artist: Mya Tollefson  

Foley Artist: Shaleena Mahana  

Foley Artist: Garrett Blaisdell