Stage Chase

The cast waits patiently for the music to start. As the opening notes build, all their anxiety fades as they prepare to perform Jefferson Academy’s newest production, Catch Me If You Can.

Rehearsals began in mid-October, giving the cast only six weeks to put the entire show together. Many questioned whether they would be able to finish everything in time.

“The show is going really well, but since there’s a big time constraint, it’s a little stressful. But we’re getting the dances down, everyone is learning their lines, and it’s been a lot of fun to see,” expressed junior Leo Price.

With one week gone for Thanksgiving break, the cast had to put the show together with a very short amount of time.

“It would have been great if we had more time, but we all worked really hard and I’m proud of how it turned out,” explained senior Leyna Gibson.

Catch Me If You Can is a dance-heavy musical, and choreographing the big numbers requires significant time and focus.

“I feel like in the past the dancing always got postponed to the last minute and didn’t get done, so I appreciate that we’re dancing first,” said sophomore Ava Swartzendruber.

Focusing on choreography during class is a newer approach for JA theatre, but many cast members appreciated it.

“Taking more time to run choreography over scenes greatly benefits the production because when we spend more time dancing, it’s a lot more sophisticated and looks better to watch,” stated freshman Cody Schaffer.

After performing three nights in a row, everyone was exhausted, but pleased with the work that they had done. 

“Catch Me if You Can was one of the best performances, at least that I’ve ever done, at JA,” shared senior Aiden Hohnstein. 

With all the ups and downs, the cast and crew certainly found a way to make the show a great one. 

“I’m so proud of everyone in the show,” said Hohnstein. “Everyone worked so hard to make it all come together, and this was just such a great sense of community.”