Multiple months of planning and rehearsing is put into the creation of musicals by the Jordan Theater Company. Every two years, the theater cast creates a musical. This year, they are adapting the 1997 film Anastasia.
The decision of what musical to create involves a few factors: the size of the production, what the production needs, and what is needed in terms of set and costume. Another necessary part is speaking with members of the musical.
“I talk to the band director and choir directors about, ‘do we musically have the ability to do this?’ “Andrew Midkiff, Head Theater Director, said.
It usually takes about six weeks from auditions to opening night. Most of the funding for the musical comes from the shows that they have previously done. The theater department also runs fundraisers for additional support.
“We abide by a very strict budget for each show,” Mr. Midkiff said. “The goal, of course, is to make back what we spent, plus a little extra that we can now spend on the next show.”
Auditions are conducted, scripts are created, and cast members are selected early in the process in preparation for production. For students, this part of the production can be especially stressful. However, for those who get selected, the stress was worth it in the end.
“I was ecstatic. I didn’t think I would make it in,” said Reed Shortt, a sophomore theater student.
Unlike in the 1997 animated movie, the stage musical does not have any of the magic and focuses more on actual historical events.
“It focuses more on the actual events: the Bolshevik Revolution and the ousting of the Russian royal family,” Mr. Midkiff said.
The Jordan Theater Company also has to sign a contract with the publishing company saying that they will do what is in the script. No new songs will be created for this musical. This is true for every play done by the Jordan Theater Company.
As the theater director said, “If it’s in the script, we do it.”
The Jordan Theater Company only does a play every two years because of the amount of time and money required for its production.
“Our average budget for just a regular play is about 10,000 dollars. [For] musicals, more like 25 [thousand],” Mr. Midkiff said.
Musicals are huge productions that everyone involved looks forward to. Especially plays by the Jordan Theater Company.
