“It’s been intense, it’s been really fun, [and] probably one of my favorite shows,” says PEACE senior Noah Otterson, who plays male lead, Ren McCormack.
Millikan Drama’s Spring production of “Footloose” ran through Mar. 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th following the story of young Ren McCormack who moves to a small town that bans dancing and singing. With help from the Reverend’s daughter Ariel Moore, (played by COMPASS senior, Cheyenne Saumier-Sugita), and his new friend Willard Hewitt, (played by COMPASS senior, Ulysses Knobbe), Ren, Ariel, and Willard overturn the dancing ban and bring a bright and exciting perspective to the town.
Deciding on the Spring production wasn’t easy, director Ms. Maya Efrat says, “I wanted to choose ‘Footloose’ for our spring musical because it felt like the perfect fit for these students. It’s a high-energy show that celebrates music, dance, self expression and the power of young people finding their voice.”
The young and local talent within the production was evident throughout the play. It was entertaining to viewers in the audience, they were able to experience the passion and dedication to the play, through the dances and songs. A particularly captivating moment was the Saloon scene which featured impressive set design, a majority of the cast, and upbeat music. The scene captured the audience and it was evident when they received loud cheers from the audience.
Following months of preparation and directing from Ms. Efrat, Mr. York and outside director Lynsie McCullough-Seeds, it is incredible to witness all the talents from the Millikan Drama Department this Spring!
Samantha Garcia • Mar 31, 2026 at 11:29 am
I really enjoyed reading this article and loved how well it appreciates the show. I went to see the show with my dad and my little brother, and they both loved it. They were surprised at the level of the show, from the acting and singing to the props and sets. I also heard that others were comparing it to our production of Grease, which was another big hit. Furthermore, I have to agree with Alas about the Saloon scene being very captivating. The small details like the bottles, horseshoes, and the bull skull really added to the design. In addition, the stage that the main singer was dancing on was also amazing. The design was very creative, and it must have taken a lot of skill to hand-paint something like that. And because of how amazing the sets were, I think to improve this article, Alas should also interview people from Stage Crew. I know they also played a big part in why this musical was such a success.
Joaquin Chavez • Mar 31, 2026 at 10:08 am
As another student at Millikan who has been involved with the Choir program and saw Millikan’s production of “Footloose,” I am glad that the news of the success of this production is being recognized here at Millikan as everyone worked so hard to bring this musical to our stage. I believe that explaining the premise of the musical along with mentioning the names and personalities of some of the main characters featured was an excellent choice at enhancing understanding and setting up the success that “Footloose” has achieved this year. I appreciate how a quote from the main performer, Noah Otterson, was included and portrays his opinion of the show as one of his favorites. In addition, this quote which was placed at the beginning of this article, including other quotes from other students throughout the article, particularly from other secondary cast members, ensemble singers, and dancers, would elevate the reader’s understanding of the various different types of roles that contributed to this production. I believe that these people are just as important as the main cast members because without the people filling the middle ground, the background, and backstage, this and other productions just wouldn’t be the same.
I would say that, even though including the positive perspectives of students like Noah Otterson and from the director Ms. Maya Efrat about how this production came to life, also including the perspectives of those who watched the play during the run of its showtimes could aid readers in understanding how and why this production was so successful and high-energy. I was an audience member that attended the production during its second weekend and I happen to know a lot of its cast members as I am in Millikan’s Advanced Chamber Choir with them. Therefore, I appreciated the music and different personalities brought to life by many of our student actors, singers, and dancers. Also, even though I enjoyed “Footloose”, others may have had a different opinion and including their praises about what was successful and maybe suggestions for areas of improvement would bring multiple perspectives to this article which could increase relatability and understanding about how the play was seen in the eyes of the audience.
This article is additionally on point with briefly mentioning the work of the directors of “Footloose,” Ms. Efrat, Mr. York, and outside director Lynsie McCullough-Seeds as well as the months of development and preparation which was essential for the production’s success later on. Adding the particular amount of hours, hard work, and backstage production that students and stage crew members had to endure would spotlight the actual amount of effort it took to create such a long and beautiful play. These directors and students took every step from casting, to practicing, to advertising, to ultimately performing, and including how much sweat and tears were shed to make this possible would highlight the uniqueness and evolution of the production beyond social and economic success. Overall, this article does a very successful job at portraying the success of Millikan’s “Footloose” involving its story and some student and adult opinion but incorporating more sides of performer opinion, audience perspectives, and more about the steps and hard work that was completed to ensure success would add depth to help more readers relate to this article and understand both the achievement and importance of high school productions like Millikan’s “Footloose.”
Zoe Miller • Mar 30, 2026 at 1:03 pm
As someone who was part of that show, I really enjoyed reading this article. It provides a great overview of the plot and some of the characters, along with the details involving the work put into its production. I appreciate the fact that the audience’s enthusiasm for the show was mentioned; it means so much to people in the cast, like myself, that everyone had a great time.
The addition of quotes from people who were part of Footloose is also another piece of the article that I appreciate. It was really fascinating to learn about the thought put behind this year’s musical choice. I also would have loved to see more quotes from more of the cast members, or even the students and staff that went to view the show, as it is always enjoyable to hear a variety of perspectives. All in all, a great article.
Ivy Estrada • Mar 30, 2026 at 12:38 pm
I participated in the musical pit of Footloose as the flute soloist and it was an incredible experience. The cast truly put their heart and soul into this show, and I have missed performing the show ever since. It was really interesting to see the development of choosing Footloose in your article. I definitely agree with Ms. Efrat’s choice, as it really captured the talent of the Millikan Drama Department.
To add on, I would love to see more commentary from behind the scenes of the stage crew, the musical pit, and play pro. All elements of this musical took a lot of effort and time to execute, so I think it would be a great addition to possibly mention! I would definitely be interested to hear about the different experiences I haven’t seen yet. In all, this was a great article that really captured the excitement Footloose brought to every audience.
Emily Guzman • Mar 30, 2026 at 11:02 am
On March 24, 2026, Sofia Alas wrote an article titled “Millikan Drama Presents: Footloose!” This article perfectly captures the hard work, dedication, and passion that the Millikan Drama program has for all of their shows. It emphasizes the attitudes of the actors and displays the clear bonds and closeness between the entire cast. I also found the usage of quotes from people who are personally connected to the musical, such as the lead actors and drama teacher/director, to increase the reading’s impact on the reader by making the information feel more emotional. This article is extremely well-written and Alas did a great job at describing each point. One suggestion I would have would be to interview other people who helped with the musical aside from the actors and directors, such as Stage Crew and Play Production. Without them, the lighting, sets, hair, makeup, and costumes would not have made the musical what it was meant to be. However, the rest of the cast are all wonderful people and provide amazing insight to the production of the musical. Overall, Alas does an excellent job in describing this year’s musical production and how special it was to many, along with the actors’ experiences. Great job, and bravo to all of the people who made the musical such a wonderful experience!