There are many common fan favorite summer activities like swimming, barbecuing and sports. One summer activity most people don’t know about is all-state musical, which three Yutan students participated in this summer.
“All-state musical is a program through Midland University in Fremont, Neb., where people who are in choir all around Nebraska get the chance to audition,” sophomore Kaydi Ward said.
Auditions typically take place in May, where students record themselves singing and send their tapes in to be reviewed and judged by the Director of Vocal Music, Joel Johnston, and the Director of Theater, Dan Hays.
“People that are in choir all around Nebraska get the chance to audition. You send in a video of you singing, and then [Joel and Dan] decide if they want to pick you or not,” Ward said.
There is a wide selection of different parts that judges must assign.
“You could either be a part of the dance, choir or the acting ensemble…for choir you have the sopranos, altos, tenors and bass…then for dance ensemble you’re a backup dancer…then acting ensemble I thought was fun because you sometimes get lines,” Ward said.
Auditions can be very competitive as there might be 2,300 students trying out to get a role in the musical. Last year, the musicals performed were “Something Rotten” and “Legally Blonde.”
“We did ‘Something Rotten,’ and that was pretty good. It’s based around the time of the Renaissance and William Shakespeare,” sophomore Izaiah Hancock said.
Like sports, all-state musical can build social skills and life skills for all students.
“The skills that I’ve learned are to walk into a space and not be scared knowing there are people that are going to be better than you…knowing my worth but I’m still going to work to be the best that I can be,” Ward said.
Many memories and friendships can be made during these short three days of musical production.
“Everybody’s just kind of friends with everybody, and you don’t have to worry about being judged for being weird or singing randomly in the hallways. It’s just a very loving space, and that’s what I loved most about it,” Ward said.
