For the first time ever, the SJHHS Theatre Department put on a quick-run production of Mamma Mia! on Sept. 12th and 13th to raise money for all of the performing arts program, including multiple groups on campus such as dance, choir, and any voluntary student. The show was designed in a matter of three weeks.
The objective of the SJHHS Theatre Arts Student Council was to get underclassmen and non-theatre members involved in the department in an easygoing, noncommital way.
“It was all such a cool experience…even though it was stressful because of the short time we got, it made it even more fun to put on a classic show like Mamma Mia!,” said Maddan Cook (10).
As both a pop musical and a full stage production, this was the first time both elements crafted a sold-out fundraiser in such little time. By integrating many groups of students on campus, it was all made in the spirit of community building, and having a good time doing art for fun.
The choice to do a big cult classic like Mamma Mia!, was a huge mashup of universal coincidences. Circumstances like early fundraising, overall campus recruitment, and donated costumes played a role into into the making of it all.
The fear of auditioning, being a stranger to the program, or even hefty time commitments were some theatrical problems to tackle. Yet, the SJHHS Theatre Arts Student Council found a way to solve all three of these issues.
This production took down any barrier that would prevent a student from wanting to audition. With a “no-cut” process, everybody who wanted to be involved could be. All they had to do was just come to a meeting and sign up.
The whole idea was pitched through Prop 28, a yearly funding program for art and music education in all California K-12 public schools. Through the Prop 28 program, the royalties for Mamma Mia! were paid for, as well as additions like coaching and technical assistance.
The department was able to involve a significant number of freshmen, ASB students, dance students, choir athletes, and groups of students that had never been in a musical who just wanted to wear scuba diver flip flops.
If a student wanted to be a featured soloist in the show, they needed to come into a vocal drop-in, also known as a mini-audition. It’s meant to hear individual voice pitch, type, and confidence levels in order to place them where they fit in to the musical.
“Mamma Mia has always been one of my favorite musicals, so when I heard about auditions, I was so excited! I had always dreamed of playing Donna, so this was such a dream come true,” said Kate Martin (11), portraying Donna Sheridan.
Regarding rehearsals and lessons, the only mandatory times were after school twice a week for every technician, actor, and dancer. Remaining flexible, if a student did not want be in one number or they could not make it, they were not required to participate.
For every learning moment of the musical, the choreographers hit each song in the show one time. Every student learned it in one night, and then performed it at the final dress rehearsal. The main crew and director only saw every scene once.
It wasn’t a ‘normal’ production as far as the finesse or collegiate scale they usually have on a nine week schedule. Instead, it was crafted for fun entertainment in three weeks, built on trust and retaining everything in time. A popular motto in preparation was, “It is what we’re making it.”
With everything being held on a time crunch, the execution not only demonstrated the great potential students have for working on a very short timeline, but also figuring out a challenge with good attitudes, a sense of fun, and community effort.
