Entertainment Story by Elena Burt

“It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s what you do with your dancin’ shoes.” – Grease. 

Although 68 enthusiastic Marian and Prep students auditioned in late August for Marian’s fall musical, “Grease,” only 49 were selected.

The audition process provokes a whirlwind of emotions, as people are excited, nervous, and sometimes disappointed. These students put a lot of hard work into auditioning— staying for hours after school, practicing lines in their free time, singing “Summer Nights” on repeat in the car and in the shower, practicing getting into character, and hopefully getting their beauty sleep for peak performance throughout the week. 

Senior Annie Stessman, who has been  part of Marian performing arts since sophomore year, will be on stage this fall as Frenchy— protagonist Sandy’s close friend. She said, “Auditions are a three day process.” They started in the PAC on Sunday August 18 where people who were auditioning are put into groups to learn dances and sing measures of songs. They then go  back on Monday to perform scenes with random groups. On Tuesday, “only a select few are asked to come back. It doesn’t mean they get a lead or make the show, the director just wants to make sure of something,” Stessman said. 

The suspense and wonder that these actors and actresses experience, questioning whether or not they will get a call back, and if they did, the thoughts of “what will it mean?” Encircles their brain. Stessman said, “the PAC is usually filled with anxious but excited energy. We give each other weary but encouraging smiles and say good luck or good job. Everyone knows we’re all trying our best.” 

Junior Clara Kizer, who will be playing Jan, a character in Frenchy’s posse, shared that “on audition day, I sang the prepared song and learned a dance routine that same day, which tested both my dance skills and memorization.” Kizer was even sick that week, but that did not stop her from crushing her auditions. 

Kizer said, “When I received the email that I was cast as Jan, I was so excited because I have never had the chance to play a character that actually has lines!” The Marianfolk are ecstatic to see Stessman, Kizer, and all actors and actresses on stage for this year’s fall production, “Grease.”

Some fan-favored characters are Sandy, played by Nicole Poole ’25, Danny Zuko, played by Creighton Prep senior Noah Weber, Rizzo, played by Heidi Hans ’25, Patty Simcox, played by Clara Hawkins ’25, Marty, played by Hannah Taylor ’26 and Cha-Cha, played by Isabella Valencia-Valbuena ’26. 

Even for those who did not get cast in the musical this year, there is always next year, and there are awesome opportunities to be a part of the backstage crew. Senior Abby McGuire, who helped out backstage her sophomore and freshman years, said that “it was a valuable experience that taught me a lot about how the theater works. If you have an interest in theater but do not want to be on stage, it is a great way to learn and make friends.”

You can see the cast on stage on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.. Tickets for the show go on sale on Oct. 7, and you can purchase them through the Marian website.