For the first time ever, all four Keller ISD High Schools will join forces to put on a musical that promises to be a highlight event of the year for the Keller community. Opening October 20th and running for two weekends, Grease, the popular musical made famous by the 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, will be live on stage at the Timber Creek High School Fine Arts Center. With nearly 200 theatre students and teachers representing each of the four Keller high schools, this mega-production will be the largest theatre performance in the district’s history.
Stepping into the rehearsal room, the excitement in the air is palpable. “I’ve been looking forward to Grease for a while now,” says Caleb Shaw, a Timber Creek senior who plays Danny Zuko. “It’s really fun to work together with kids from other schools and with the best our district has.”
Beyond the new friendships that will emerge, the Keller theatre teachers conceived the production as a great opportunity for learning and collaboration. Brian Ketcham, the show’s technical director (and a theatre teacher at Keller High School) described the rationale behind the idea: “We’re hoping they get to walk away with more skills than they would normally get from working on a show at their individual home campuses. They’re getting to learn from each other and from each of the different directors at all of the schools.”
For audiences, Grease is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The show will include all of the famous songs that fans of the movie have come to know: “We Go Together”, “Summer Lovin’,” “You’re the One that I Want” and more. Jessica Healey, a Central High School senior playing Sandy, sums up the experience: “It is a wonderful opportunity for Keller ISD to showcase its talent. It’s going to be a great show and I think everyone is going to love it!”
Showtimes include Oct. 20, 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 with reserved seating available online at www.kisdgrease.com and at the door one hour prior to performances.