With the cancellation of the annual spring musical, which was slated to be Oklahoma, Kettle Run students in the theater department are turning toward other local musicals and activities.

All of the theater classes have a long-term substitute, Mrs. Van Camp, who has experience in musical theater. With the help of Kim Overholt, English department chair, another plan has been put in place for the students taking the theater classes. But for the rest of the student body who has invested their time and talent into the theatre department, there is no alternative option at school.

While the loss of the spring musical is disappointing to many, it opened up some doors of opportunity for several students who will be performing in shows at the local Fauquier Community Theater, FCT.

Junior Jack and freshman Peter Tessier will be performing Big Fish the Musical at FCT. Based on the 2003 movie, this musical brings to life a father-son relationship as the adventures of Edward Bloom bring along lovable characters such as the Witch, Karl the Giant, Amos the circus ringleader/werewolf, and many more.

“I’m excited to do it because I am doing it with three of my siblings,” Peter Tessier said. “It is a fun show with cool music and an uplifting message.”

Big Fish performances are in May.

Another show many students may find themselves doing is Into the Woods, Jr., also at the local FCT. Into the Woods is a musical about the journey of the Baker and his wife as he finds four magical objects to reverse the curse set on his family, all the while meeting iconic characters such as Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, and the Witch. The junior version consists of only the first act of the full version, when everything ended “happily ever after.” Senior Colleen Pechin is excited to work on a performance outside of school.

“I can’t wait to be able to work with new people,” Pechin said. She believes this change is a blessing in disguise.

Senior Rutger Scott is also performing in Into the Woods.

“I’m excited to see how I can apply what I learned at Kettle Run to the community theater platform,” Scott said. “It doesn’t hurt that my friends will be doing it as well.”

Senior Elizabeth Nefferdorf is also doing a show.

“It will be great chance to branch out and get out of my comfort zone,” Nefferdorf said. Nefferdorf directed the award-winning one-act Almost, Maine this fall. She will also be working as a leader during the youth drama camp in the summer that FCT hosts. This year they will be putting on Madagascar, Jr. in two weeks. Outside of the Fauquier Community theater, freshman Ella Strickland will be performing in The Little Mermaid at the Allegro Community School of the Arts in Warrenton. She is excited to be a singer in the popular Disney musical. This branching out is very beneficial for her, mainly because she wishes to go further in the arts.

“This [theatre and music] is what I want to do with my life.”

The Little Mermaid performances are in April.