Overview:
Fame: The Musical follows the final graduating class of dancers, actors, and musicians through their four years at New York City’s prestigious School for the Performing Arts, known as the “Fame School” after being featured in the hit 1980 film Fame. While the musical does not directly follow the plot of the film, audiences have the opportunity to meet an eclectic cast of new characters, all of whom are doing the hard work necessary to perfect their art and find their own measure of success in their chosen field. Throughout their years at “P.A.”, it becomes clear to each of them what it is going to take to really make it.
For Nick Piazza (Sophomore John Shaw), Serena Katz (Sophomore Emmaleigh Stempien), and Joe Vegas (Junior Massan Jensen), it means digging into what it really means to be an actor, how to inhabit a character, and how to connect emotionally with their audiences. For Jack Zakowski (Sophomore Garrett Hilton), Iris Kelly (Freshman Addyson Webber), and Mabel Washington (Senior Riley Dallos), it means perfecting their dance techniques and escaping the elements of their upbringing that hold them back. For Goodman “Goody” King (Senior Lee Miller), Grace “Lambchops” Lamb (Sophomore Sophia Smith), and Schlomo Metzenbaum (Sophomore Joseph Droney), it means finding their own sound, making the music they want to make, and, in Schlomo’s case, escaping from the shadow of his virtuoso father. As for Carmen Diaz (Junior Jayden Hollister), a triple threat dancer, actor, and singer, finding fame means escaping her demons and doing whatever it takes to see her name in lights someday.
FAME was a unique experience for a number of reasons. We performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and were one of the only schools in our region to be able to host a live audience and to perform unmasked. It was also a rare repeated show for our program, having been last performed in 2006 - this allowed us to connect with members of the previous production and see what they were up to, to invite them to the show, and/or even to have them chat with our actors! Members of the production team were also honored to join students onstage in the "teacher" roles. Finally, it was the first time that our show was livestreamed to some online audience members - a stream that was viewed on at least three continents!
For Nick Piazza (Sophomore John Shaw), Serena Katz (Sophomore Emmaleigh Stempien), and Joe Vegas (Junior Massan Jensen), it means digging into what it really means to be an actor, how to inhabit a character, and how to connect emotionally with their audiences. For Jack Zakowski (Sophomore Garrett Hilton), Iris Kelly (Freshman Addyson Webber), and Mabel Washington (Senior Riley Dallos), it means perfecting their dance techniques and escaping the elements of their upbringing that hold them back. For Goodman “Goody” King (Senior Lee Miller), Grace “Lambchops” Lamb (Sophomore Sophia Smith), and Schlomo Metzenbaum (Sophomore Joseph Droney), it means finding their own sound, making the music they want to make, and, in Schlomo’s case, escaping from the shadow of his virtuoso father. As for Carmen Diaz (Junior Jayden Hollister), a triple threat dancer, actor, and singer, finding fame means escaping her demons and doing whatever it takes to see her name in lights someday.
FAME was a unique experience for a number of reasons. We performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and were one of the only schools in our region to be able to host a live audience and to perform unmasked. It was also a rare repeated show for our program, having been last performed in 2006 - this allowed us to connect with members of the previous production and see what they were up to, to invite them to the show, and/or even to have them chat with our actors! Members of the production team were also honored to join students onstage in the "teacher" roles. Finally, it was the first time that our show was livestreamed to some online audience members - a stream that was viewed on at least three continents!
CastNick Piazza - Johnathan Shaw
Serena Katz - Emmaleigh Stempien Joe Vegas - Massan Jensen Carmen Diaz - Jayden Hollister Mabel Washington - Riley Dallos Grace “Lambchops” Lamb - Sophia Smith Miss Esther Sherman - Mrs. Jessica Kinsey Goodman “Goody” King - Lee Miller Schlomo Metzenbaum - Joseph Droney Jack Zakowski - Garrett Hilton Mr. Myers - Mr. Brian Cobb Miss Greta Bell - Ms. Elizabeth Jensen Mr. Sheinkopf - Mr. Stanley Weaver Iris Kelly - Addyson Webber Ensemble: Morgan Andersen, Samantha Denson, Arya Dillon, Emma Eichenhofer, Dayton Gulick, Meredith Hanley, Cadence Hinkal, Amelia LeVea, Vanessa Martinez, Madeline Martini, Gale Paddock, Alyssa Reynolds, Braxton Smith, Zachary Smith, Samantha Trank, Kyle Wheeler Understudies: Samantha Denson (Carmen), Kyle Wheeler (Schlomo), Zachary Smith (Nick), Emma Eichenhofer (Serena), Dayton Gulick (Joe), Meredith Hanley (Iris), Vanessa Martinez (Jack), Gale Paddock (Goody), Amelia LeVea (Lambchops). |
Student CrewStage Manager - Casey Marcellus
Headset - Alora Bailey Lighting Design/Operator - Meghan D’Archangelo Sound Design/Engineer - Violet McCarley Sound Assistant - Natalie Koen Sound Effects/Projections - Jack Grabski Stagehands - Alora Bailey, Eva Fleet, Natalie Koen Costume Design/Head Costumer - Skye Sutherland Costumes - Molly Campo, Hannah McCarley, Charle Poblete Set Construction - Gale Paddock, Zac Smith Set Painting - Eva Fleet, Natalie Koen Dance Captains - Riley Dallos, Samantha Denson Student Choreographers - Riley Dallos, Jayden Hollister Camera Operator - Griffen Fletcher Pit OrchestraPiano - Brian Cerow
Percussion - Patrick Newby Guitar - Trevor Findley Woodwinds - Jennifer Chaffee Bass - Lee Miller Trumpet - John Kissell |
Production Team
Director/Music Director - Mrs. Jessica Kinsey
Asst. Director/Acting Coach - Mr. Brian Cobb
Conductor - Mrs. Jennifer Chaffee
Choreographer - Ms. Elizabeth Jensen
Scenic Designer/Parent Coordinator/Production Assistant - Ms. Missy Emery
Production Assistants - Mrs. Joelle Davis, Mr. Stanley Weaver
Production Assistant/Vocal and Drum Coach - Mr. Patrick Newby
Master Carpenter - Mr. Dean Knapton
Lighting Design - Mrs. Sara Lyon
Sound Design Consultant - Mr. Dick Williams
Technical Director/Master Electrician/Livestream - Mr. Simon Gaston
Costume Design/Head Seamstress - Ms. Yvonne MacMillan
Front of House Supervisor - Mrs. Tina Webber
Tech Assistant/Videographer/Livestream - Dr. Herb Gaston
Graphic Design - Mr. Jason Kinsey
Set Construction/Painting - Mr. Brian Cobb, Mr. Daniel Martens, Mr. Dale Morehouse
Hip-Hop Track Composer - Mr. Owen McFarland
Hair Stylist - Mrs. Aimee Perry
Asst. Director/Acting Coach - Mr. Brian Cobb
Conductor - Mrs. Jennifer Chaffee
Choreographer - Ms. Elizabeth Jensen
Scenic Designer/Parent Coordinator/Production Assistant - Ms. Missy Emery
Production Assistants - Mrs. Joelle Davis, Mr. Stanley Weaver
Production Assistant/Vocal and Drum Coach - Mr. Patrick Newby
Master Carpenter - Mr. Dean Knapton
Lighting Design - Mrs. Sara Lyon
Sound Design Consultant - Mr. Dick Williams
Technical Director/Master Electrician/Livestream - Mr. Simon Gaston
Costume Design/Head Seamstress - Ms. Yvonne MacMillan
Front of House Supervisor - Mrs. Tina Webber
Tech Assistant/Videographer/Livestream - Dr. Herb Gaston
Graphic Design - Mr. Jason Kinsey
Set Construction/Painting - Mr. Brian Cobb, Mr. Daniel Martens, Mr. Dale Morehouse
Hip-Hop Track Composer - Mr. Owen McFarland
Hair Stylist - Mrs. Aimee Perry
Extras!
- Click here to watch our production on YouTube!
- Click here to see more pictures from the show (Google Drive link)!
- Click here to listen to MP3s of the show's musical numbers!
- Click here to see the FAME program!