As the semester comes to a close and most people are preparing for break, high school choir teacher Casey Tecklenburg has his sights set on next semester. He will be directing a production of Footloose at Hudson High School.

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   This is his second time directing a musical since he started at Hudson in 2016. 

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   Footloose wasn’t a hard choice for Tecklenburg. “The show itself fits the students we have,” he said. “It’s a story about high schoolers in a small town. That’s our wheelhouse.”

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   Last year’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying featured a traditional Broadway casting, with one clear lead, a dozen other speaking roles, and a large supporting chorus. In contrast, Tecklenburg says Footloose is more spread out, with many more opportunity for students to share the spotlight.

   A significant portion of last year's cast were seniors, but

Tecklenburg isn’t worried about a lack of talent. “Every year you’re going to lose some people,” he said. “But I’m excited for the younger students to take on some of these roles.”

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   Tecklenburg also chose to move the musical to the spring from its usual date in November. “It helps me fulfill my goal of establishing the musical as the culminating event in the fine arts department,” he said.

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   Another benefit to producing the musical in the spring is the opportunity for a “cast retreat” during winter break. Tecklenburg plans to bring the cast together for an intensive acting workshop on the last day of winter break to improve their singing and acting skills.

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   Auditions for Footloose were held December 18-20. Rehearsals will begin January 2, with the performances on the 23rd and 24th of March.