{"id":2829,"date":"2022-03-21T09:25:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T15:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/?p=2829"},"modified":"2022-03-21T09:31:12","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T15:31:12","slug":"jones-colleges-theater-department-presents-high-school-musical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/news\/jones-colleges-theater-department-presents-high-school-musical\/","title":{"rendered":"Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s Theater Department presents, \u201cHigh School Musical\u201d\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

ELLISVILLE \u2013 Live, theatrical performances of the popular, Disney movie, \u201cHigh School Musical,\u201d <\/em>presented by Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s theater department, are expected to attract large crowds as Covid-19 regulations are easing. Musical performances will be on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, in the M.P. Bush Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years of age. Â鶹ֱ²¥ faculty, staff and students are admitted free of charge with their Â鶹ֱ²¥ ID. Tickets will be available for purchase online. Check the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Arts, Music, and Performance Facebook page for details. Additionally, information regarding current Covid-19 Health Department and CDC guidelines and mask requirements can be found on Â鶹ֱ²¥ and the JC Arts, Music, and Performance department\u2019s social media in April.<\/p>\n

Following a smaller cast show, \u201cGodspell\u201d<\/em> in 2021, and the cancelation of 2020\u2019s musical, \u201cMomma Mia,\u201d <\/em>because of the Covid-19 pandemic, JC musical theater director\/producer, Dr. Jennifer Bruton said she wanted to bring as many students as possible on board for a popular show that would be enjoyed by both the performers and audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis generation of students grew up with the \u2018High School Musical\u2019<\/em> franchise which includes three blockbuster movies and several spin off series,\u201d said Bruton.\u00a0 \u201cThe original, \u2018High School Musical\u2019<\/em> movie, which the musical is based upon, was in theaters in 2006, and vaulted Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale to stardom.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Portraying some of the well-known characters in Disney\u2019s movie, \u201cHigh School Musical\u201d for Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s musical theater production of the movie, are pictured in the top, back row, left to right, Conner Smith (Troy Bolton) and Natalie Dewitt (Gabriella Montez). Pictured in the middle row, left to right are Nolan Lee (Coach Bolton, guest performer) and Bralynn Newell (Mrs. Darbus) and pictured in the front row are Donovan Williams (Jack Scott) and Reagan Gass (Kelsi Nielson).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the lead characters, Troy is played by Conner Smith of Ellisville. He is portrayed as one of East High\u2019s most popular students and a star basketball player. The new girl in town, Gabriella is played by Natalie DeWitt of Laurel. This shy, smart girl is also a great singer and upstages Sharpay, played by Anna Leigh Ragsdale of Mize. Everyone soon learns Troy has a hidden talent that also threatens Sharpay and her brother Ryan\u2019s (played by Wesley Nelson Carmical of Ellisville) popularity and starring roles in the school\u2019s musical. Troy isn\u2019t exactly ready to shine on the stage but he likes performing with Gabriella as their relationship blossoms.<\/p>\n

Musical hits from the original soundtrack include, \u201cBreaking Free,\u201d which landed as #4 on the pop charts. Other songs like, \u201cWildcat Cheer,\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re All in This Together\u201d and \u201cGet\u2019cha Head in the Game,\u201d will also likely have the audience singing along with the cast.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew we were going to have a great turn out for auditions when we started playing, \u2018We\u2019re All in This Together\u2019 and the students broke out into the dance moves from the movie!\u201d said Bruton.<\/p>\n

The Â鶹ֱ²¥s musical theater production of \u201cHigh School Musical\u201d<\/em> features 30 students and a live band. Additionally, Musical Theater incorporates the talents of various Â鶹ֱ²¥ programs, including the commercial and residential maintenance program, and the band and cheerleaders to help make this production come to life.<\/p>\n

Familiar to the JC theater stage, is sophomore mechanical engineering major, Conner Smith. As Troy, played by Zac Efron in the Disney movie, the veteran singer and theatrical performer is familiar with playing the lead role in theatrical productions. In fact, Smith has a lot of experience being cast in the lead roles as Jack Kelly in \u201cNewsies,\u201d<\/em> Kerchak in \u201cTarzan,\u201d<\/em> and Doodie in \u201cGrease\u201d<\/em> during his high school acting career at South Jones. Most recently, last spring, Smith played the double role of John the Baptist and Judas in \u201cGodspell\u201d<\/em> at Â鶹ֱ²¥. He said he is looking forward to being the star basketball player in this year\u2019s musical.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always loved the Disney movies, \u2018High School Musical\u2019 <\/em>so I thought I would enjoy being in this production,\u201d said Smith. \u201cIt\u2019s fun playing a character that\u2019s not that different from who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

His female co-star, Gabriella played by Natalie DeWitt of Laurel, is a freshman, pursuing a degree in speech pathology. She is also no stranger to the theater stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love being able to bring Gabriella to life and play a character that I haven\u2019t performed before. I feel that we can all see a bit of ourselves in Gabriella, however, as an extrovert, getting the opportunity to play a character like her has been different and exciting,\u201d said DeWitt. \u201cI have had a love for performing and have been involved in many plays throughout my life. It is truly so special to work with such a talented cast like this!\u201d<\/p>\n

Feeling insecure about the new girl at East High is the fashionable and feisty, Sharpay. She is portrayed by music education vocalist, AnnaLeigh Ragsdale of Mize.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018High School Musical<\/em>\u2019 has been one of my favorite movies since I was little with Sharpay being my favorite fashionable character. Being able to play her character is a dream come true!\u201d said Ragsdale. \u201cSharpay\u2019s bitter attitude has been a fun way to step out of my comfort zone during rehearsal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coming to Gabriella\u2019s rescue is her best friend in the movie, Taylor McKessie, played by Wayne County\u2019s Mya McLain. The sophomore pre-law major has no problem playing the smart girl with real-life roles as the President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and being selected for the JC Hall of Fame and Letter \u201cJ\u201d academic honors.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love Taylor McKessie! She\u2019s too smart for her own good sometimes and she has to show her edginess and strong spirit in subtle ways that don\u2019t put her in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. She\u2019s blunt, hard working and knows what she wants. I get compared to her a lot actually!\u201d said McLain.<\/p>\n

As everyone seems to demand Troy and Gabriella\u2019s time, they find little time for each other which works perfectly for Sharpay and Ryan, who devise a plan to disrupt the new couple\u2019s opportunity to shine on the stage.<\/p>\n

To learn how the drama at East High unfolds, buy your tickets in advance, online by checking the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Arts, Music and Performance website and social media pages. For more information about the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Arts, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.<\/p>\n

Cast, Crew and Ensemble <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sarah Adams, Ellisville – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Ni\u2019Riyah Bell, Laurel – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Wesley Nelson Carmical, Ellisville – Ryan<\/p>\n

Ta’Nyia Cooley, Shubuta – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Natalie DeWitt, Laurel – Gabriella<\/p>\n

Reagan Gass, Waynesboro – Kelsi<\/p>\n

Cameron Glenn, Laurel – Chad<\/p>\n

Mackenzie Golemon Moselle – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Jordan Grimes, Leakesville – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Dasani Hill, State Line – Susan\/Ensemble<\/p>\n

Christopher Holloway, State Line – Crew<\/p>\n

Kamaya Hutton, Laurel – Crew<\/p>\n

Kathryn Hyatt, Laurel – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Beyonce Kenny, Rolling Fork \u2013 Cathy\/Ensemble<\/p>\n

Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian – Martha<\/p>\n

Eboni McDonald, Taylorsville – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Mya McLain, Waynesboro – Taylor<\/p>\n

Mya McLaurin, Bay Springs – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Alexis Millwood, Brandon – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Briannesha Mingo, Sandy Hook \u2013 Costume\/Crew<\/p>\n

Lee Mixon, Stonewall -James\/Ensemble<\/p>\n

Brandon Murray, Laurel – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Bralynn Newell, Newton \u2013 Mrs. Darbus<\/p>\n

Abby Nix, Ellisville – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Eileen Ortega, Collins \u2013 Cyndra\/Ensemble<\/p>\n

AnnaLeigh Ragsdale, Mize – Sharpay<\/p>\n

Phoenix Riley, Petal – Crew<\/p>\n

Ethan Robertson, Columbia – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Dreamanda Ross, Monticello – Ensemble<\/p>\n

John Scott, Hattiesburg – Ensemble<\/p>\n

Jaylon Sims, Raleigh – Zeke<\/p>\n

Conner Smith, Ellisville – Troy<\/p>\n

Matthew Taylor, Richland -Ripper<\/p>\n

Payton Voge, Laurel \u2013 Stage Manager<\/p>\n

Dalton Whitehead, Columbia \u2013 Alan\/Ensemble<\/p>\n

Donovan Williams, Laurel \u2013 Jack Scott<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ELLISVILLE \u2013 Live, theatrical performances of the popular, Disney movie, \u201cHigh School Musical,\u201d presented by Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s theater department, are expected to attract large crowds as Covid-19 regulations are easing. Musical performances will be on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, in the … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s Theater Department presents, \u201cHigh School Musical\u201d\u00a0“<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2832,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2829"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2829"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2836,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2829\/revisions\/2836"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jcjc.edu\/jcnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}