Megan Conner brings new vision to campus drama program

Directed by new drama teacher Megan Conner, the campus drama program was renamed Spotlight Productions and plans on performing Newsies The Broadway Musical in February. Newsies, based on a true story, is a Disney musical inspired by a group of courageous and impoverished newsboys in 1899 who transform into unlikely heroes.

Set during Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency, Newsies tells the story of New York newsboys working under bosses Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Due to the Great Depression, newspaper bosses increased paper costs and decreased newsboys’ wages. The injustice lead the boys to band together and strike against the powerful newspaper owners. 

Applications for amateur rights to Disney’s Newsies are now available for schools and community theatre groups across the country through Music Theatre International. Based on the 1992 motion picture, the musical features Tony-Award winning songs by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman.

Conner encourages all campus students from middle school through high school to participate in the February performance. She will host open call auditions for Newsies, Oct. 7, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. in the SMC. There are even limited roles for 4th and 5th grade students.

Conner previously worked with Good Company Players and other local theater companies while performing, directing and choreographing at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater. Conner also taught drama at Copper River Elementary School as the school began to expand their drama program. She currently serves on the creative team at The Well Community Church as a writer, assistant producer and performer.

Passionate about theater since youth, Conner shares how God spurred her heart to be part of the Fresno Christian community.

“My favorite part about teaching at FCS is how we can use performing arts for God,” Conner said. “Acting is often portrayed as an ‘all eyes on me’ show. However, God gave me a completely different vision of how we can show the character of Christ in performing arts without it being all about us.”

The purpose of Spotlight Productions Theatre Co. is to provide opportunities in performing arts to all campus students rather than just students enrolled in the drama class. Participation in the company includes opportunities to take classes in dance, vocals and acting as well as joining clubs, service projects and performing in multiple productions a year.

“We have a number one goal in the FCS drama program,” Conner continued. “To shine our lights bright for Christ and to serve others with the gifts God has given us.”

Auditions require all participants to undergo a three-stage process. Those auditioning must prepare a one-minute solo to either sheet music or a karaoke track. Vocal audition songs are encouraged to be theatrical (a Disney song or a song from a musical or film).  All songs must align with school expectations and guidelines of appropriate topics and material.

Students looking to audition with a piano will need to bring their sheet music to the audition. Students auditioning with a karaoke track must provide the link to the karaoke song on their phone or on YouTube.

For dance auditions, students are recommended to wear comfortable clothes, tennis shoes or dance shoes. A short dance routine will be taught during this phase of the audition and students will perform the choreography in groups. There will be an opportunity for students to demonstrate special skills in this portion of the audition like tap dancing, tumbling, break dancing, etc.

During the acting audition, students will be required to cold read a script to view how well they fit with different characters in the play. Sample scripts will be available in the JH/HS main office prior to auditions for participating actors.

The callback auditions are reserved for vocal and acting only. Callback auditions begin Oct. 10, in the music suite from 5:30 – 8 p.m.. The final cast list will be posted by the afternoon of Oct. 11. 

In the following podcast, Laura Rauscher, ‘20, interviews drama director Megan Connor about the Newsies auditions.

Senior Zeke Fuller shares his excitement for Conner’s new vision for the program. He expresses his enthusiasm for the auditions while anticipating an exciting production.

“I’m very excited to perform under Mrs. Conner,” Fuller said. “I unfortunately can’t be in the class this year, but I’m excited to see her teaching style in the Newsies! She will be my third head director of my high school drama career; I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table!”

Colton Allen, ’20, grew up playing sports, but decided from a young age to get involved in music. After learning the basics of guitar, Allen began to improve his skills to the point where he could perform in front of public audiences across the US. He shares his excitement for the production.

“I’m so very excited to perform in Newsies this year,” Allen said. “I have always wanted to be a part of this production. I love the story and can’t wait to join a cast of wonderful people to put on such an incredible play.”

The following performance dates and showtimes take place in the SMC:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Elementary production
Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

Newsies – JH and HS production
Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
Feb. 29 at 5:30 p.m. – Dinner at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m.

Spring Showcase 
April 17 at 7 p.m.

After five years under former campus teacher Kyle Dodson, the drama program is taken over by new instructor Megan Conner. Conner plans to share more information about the Newsies and other performances that she will be directing during chapel, Sept. 24. Make sure to check out the open call auditions to participate in the Newsies production!

For more articles, read Join the Discussion: Calvin Crest 2019 and COLUMN: Learn to embrace, overcome difficult situations through self-empowerment.

Laura Rauscher can be reached via email.