Musicals are a long-standing tradition at BMU. According to Athletic Director Todd Powers, “Musicals are a proud tradition here, just as proud as athletics are for Blue Mountain.” The legacy of BMU musicals began in the 1970’s; in fact, one can find promotional posters just outside of the cafeteria dating back to May 1981. At that time, every year BMU put on musicals or a small choreographed performance.
However, due to BMU’s small size, putting on a musical requires community support, student engagement, and staff cooperation. Ms. Shields pioneered musicals at BMU; according to Shelby Peters, “She was a very good leader, and she knew exactly what the school needed when it came to theater and music programs. She was a very good influence on her school.” After Shields retired in June of 2018, BMU lost an integral member of the BMU musical program.
Shortly after Shields retired, a new music teacher joined BMU’s music program. However, due to health issues, she was in and out of school. This left BMU students in a difficult situation with no consistent full-time music teachers. In the midst of this, the COVID-19 pandemic put BMU’s musical program on a hiatus. Regardless of the year, at a school the size of BMU, there will always be difficulties casting because many of the students who participate in theater are also involved in various extracurricular activities like school clubs, student council, athletics, internships, work, and River Bend.
Last year, despite these challenges, BMU students and staff banded together and produced High School Musical. One member of the staff who was integral in accomplishing this task was Shelby Peters. As a student, Peters (‘16), participated in many BMU musicals:. As a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz; an extra in Once Upon a Mattress, and as the title role in Mary Poppins the musical. Now as a teacher at BMU, when an opportunity arose to direct a theater program, she jumped at the opportunity. Joined by dedicated high school students and faculty, the production, High School Musical (‘24), ran smoothly.
This school year’s musical production is Shrek the Musical. Peters, the director, is joined by Julie Gandin who is in charge of costumes; Jennifer Dubie in charge of the set; Todd Powers in charge of tech; and Carmen Philips in charge of vocals. Interestingly, Philips (‘07) is also a BMU alum, and she is BMU’s chorus teacher. Like Peters, she was also involved in many musicals during her tenure at BMU. She was Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz and was a stand out music talent.
Unlike last year’s musical, Shrek the Musical attracted fewer participants. When talking about the first round of auditions, Peters expressed, “I was discouraged by the turnout… I know there is more interest though, now that I have spoken to a few more groups of students.” Out of the 25 students who expressed their interest for the first audition, only seven students showed up on November 6. The second round of auditions garnered more students. According to Peters, around four or five new students joined after the second round of auditions. This turnout restored Peters’ hope.
There are still many undecided roles. If interested in the musical, contact Peters. Shrek the Musical is still in early production, and it is not too late to be involved.
