Franke Center Youth Theater presents Footloose

The Franke Center’s Youth Theater is pleased to announce the production of Footloose featuring the talents of 9th -12th graders. To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, augmented with dynamic new songs, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.

Allison Ebner, Co-Producer, said, “Watching this cast rehearse has been so exciting. It is a fantastic combination of returning students and many new faces, together they make a powerhouse cast with talent you will not want to miss!”

The multi-talented cast includes Ryan Murphy as Ren, Lucy Gensch as Ariel, Andrew Root as Shaw, Mary Claire Davis as Vi, Gunnar Ousley as Willard, Ciara Funk as Rusty, Eliza MacQuaig as Urleen, Kaya Oswald as Wendy Jo, Shane Klepper as Chuck, and Hallie Machalka as Ethel.

Rounding out the ensemble is Luke Bierbaum, Gianna DeCola, Lucy Giesen, Noah French, Chance Hamilton, Lisa Hammer, Jordan Harrell, Whitney Ivey, Anna Lincoln, Jack Marsh, Robert Munden, Olive Parham, Laya Rodriguez Cabrero, Bella Rupp, Kayla Smith, Alaina Stafford, Joseph Steele, Samantha Stults, Aubrey Tarkiewicz, Angel Warner, Mollie Weaver, and Leia Young.

Jennifer Conley Darling, Director of the production, said, “Footloose was a movie I watched on loop as a kid. I’m so excited to introduce the music and the story to the cast. We have a fantastic production team that is going to bring this show to life and I can’t wait to share it with our community.”

The production team is Jennifer Conley Darling, Director, Laura Gilbertson, Music Director, Beau Hutchings and Kathryn Grable, Co-Choreographers, Allison Ebner and Candace Ivey, Co- Producers, Kathy Seifert, Set Design, and Logan Lowe, Light Design.

Show dates February 15-18, 2024 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2:30pm). Performances will take place at The Franke at 214 East Mansion Street, Marshall, MI 49068. Tickets available at TheFranke.org or by calling the box office at 269-781-0001.

The Franke Center for the Arts programming is supported in part by funding from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.