Long after the final curtain closed on Footloose: The Musical, the impact of the production continues to resonate throughout Claremore High School.
For audiences, the show delivered high-energy dance numbers, powerful vocals, memorable characters, and plenty of opportunities to clap along and cheer. For the students involved, however, Footloose was much more than a performance. It was months of hard work, personal growth, lasting friendships, and a reminder of what can happen when talented students come together to create something bigger than themselves.
The production involved 38 actors, six stagehands, more than 40 theatre production students, numerous parent volunteers, and an entire team of directors, educators, and community supporters working behind the scenes.
"It truly takes a village to produce a show of this size," said Theatre Director Ruiel Doonkeen.
That village stretched far beyond the walls of Claremore High School.
Community partners including RCB Bank, Reading Truck, Roller World, Charlie's Chicken, State Farm Agent David Merriman, Chinowth & Cohen Realtor Amanda Foyil, Kissee Ford, The Men's Shop, Group One represented by Russell Guilfoyle, Dake Real Estate, Red Crown Credit Union, and Solid Rock represented by Katie Adair helped support the production and continue a longstanding tradition of community investment in Claremore Fine Arts.
Their support helped fuel an experience that students will remember for years to come.
Finding Their Place
One aspect of Claremore's Fine Arts programs is that there is no single path to participation.
Some students take center stage. Others find their passion behind a lighting console, mixing sound, building scenery, designing costumes, coordinating backstage traffic, or helping cast members prepare for their next entrance.
The result is a program where students with a wide variety of talents and interests discover a place to belong.
"Not every student wants to be center stage, and that's okay," CHS Choir Director Ruiel Doonkeen said. "The musical experience provides a place where every student can contribute and feel valued."
That sense of belonging was evident throughout the production process.
Students from Theatre Production, Drama, Show Choir, Jazz Choir, Varsity Choir, Women's Choir, and technical theatre classes worked side-by-side throughout the semester. Many entered rehearsals as strangers and finished the production as friends.
"If I could describe this production in one word, it would be unifying," said choreographer Kendyl Fudge. "This show created a safe space where students could form friendships, step outside of their comfort zones, and explore their creative strengths together."
Learning to Trust the Process
Productions like Footloose demand much more than talent.
Students balanced rigorous academic schedules with after-school rehearsals, weekend choreography sessions, music rehearsals, and technical preparations.
In many cases, students spent free time between classes and rehearsals completing homework, studying for tests, and preparing for the next day's lessons.
"The students worked harder in the month of April than some students do in their whole high school career," said WRJH Choir Director Riley Ketterling.
One of the most demanding parts of the process came during choreography weekends, where students spent hours learning and refining complex dance routines.
"This production was especially unique because of how dance-heavy it was," Fudge said. "Students had to balance choreography, blocking, memorizing lines, and learning vocal music all at the same time."
The challenge pushed students beyond their comfort zones, but it also revealed strengths many didn't know they possessed.
"There were long rehearsals, challenging choreography, difficult music, and plenty of moments where students were outside of their comfort zones," Doonkeen said. "What impressed me most was watching them continue to show up, work hard, and encourage one another."
Those lessons in perseverance, responsibility, communication, and teamwork are exactly why Claremore educators believe Fine Arts plays such an important role in a student's educational experience.
More Than Applause
While opening night is often the moment audiences remember, educators say the greatest successes happen long before the first ticket is scanned.
The performing arts teach students how to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, solve problems under pressure, manage their time, and lead with confidence.
It also gives students permission to be creative.
"Theater provides multiple mediums to express creativity," Ketterling said. "Whether it's set building, acting, singing, dancing, costuming, or technical production, students are constantly creating."
For some students, that creative experience becomes a future career path. Several graduating seniors involved in Claremore's theater program plan to continue studying theater and performing arts at the collegiate level.
For others, the experience simply provides skills and confidence that will benefit them wherever life leads.
"The skills students gain through theatre will benefit them for the rest of their lives," Doonkeen said.
A Tradition of Excellence
Claremore Public Schools has long been recognized for its commitment to Fine Arts education. From beginning choir and theatre opportunities to award-winning performances at the secondary level, students have access to exceptional facilities, experienced educators, and a culture that encourages both artistic growth and personal development.
Executive Director of Fine Arts Dr. Schuyler Adkins believes productions like Footloose showcase the very best of what Claremore students can accomplish.
"I am so proud of our incredible students," Adkins said. "Their individual and collective dedication to the production led to stellar performances on stage and behind the scenes."
As audiences left the theater after the final performance, many carried home memories of favorite songs, memorable scenes, and spectacular dance numbers.
The students carried home something even greater.
New friendships.
Greater confidence.
A stronger sense of purpose.
And the knowledge that together, they created something unforgettable.
At Claremore Public Schools, that's what Fine Arts is all about.