Every year, Manitou Springs High School holds a spring musical. This year students will be performing the pop-rock musical “Freaky Friday”. The show was intended to be shown in 2020 but was postponed by COVID-19. 

Being one of the first “modern shows” MSHS has done, there is a lot of anticipation regarding the style and look of the show. 

During auditions students sung a prepared song and displayed their dancing abilities. The next day, Feb. 7, the callback list was posted asking for all students that had auditioned the previous night to return. This was somewhat unorthodox seeing as callbacks are usually used to see a select number of the possible cast. However this could be attributed to the amount of people that auditioned. 

“Freaky Friday” is a 28 person cast, only 19 students auditioned the first night. Although callbacks brought some latecomers, double casting seems inevitable. The cast list was posted on Feb. 9 after school much to the delight of the students who auditioned. 

Ellie, one of two main characters, will be played by Lana Kahtava (10). Ellie’s mother and co-lead, Kathrine, will be played by Sierra Coy (12). The cast also includes Kai Jacobson (11), playing Katherine’s husband-to-be and Isaac Boczkiewicz(9) as Ellie’s  love interest Adam. 

Abby Steen, the choir director at MSHS, is one of three directors for the musical. Steen chose “Freaky Friday” as a change from the usual traditional and classic musicals.

 “We thought it would be fun and different and unique for you guys if we did kind of a more pop, modern rock musical,” Steen said.

This show brought a lot of newcomers to the MSHS Theatre Department. Every person who auditioned was called back and cast. “We didn’t really have anyone that we felt like wouldn’t be good in the show. We didn’t have anyone that you know, wasn’t capable or not motivated. Everyone came in well rehearsed. It was obvious they had practice they had prepared for auditions. So we just thought there’s enough roles for everybody. Let’s just have everybody come back. Everybody was more than capable,” Steen said. “Of course we would always want more people.” 

Lana Kahtava was one of these newcomers.  After being asked to audition since middle school, she auditioned this year. “ I can’t pass it up so I finally kind of just said, “when are you gonna do it and I forced myself out of my comfort zone,” Kahtava said.

Kahtava has lately gotten a lot more involved in the Theatre Department as a whole. “I’m also doing the costuming for the middle school right now, so I’m doing a bunch of things for the theater department,” Kahtava said.

 Katahva hopes to continue with theatre, ever since she started listening to musicals she has wanted to be a part of it. “I just always wanted to be that female presence on stage,”  Kahtava said.

Kahtava is thrilled to be playing Ellie and has her sights set for great things. “ I’d love to be in “Grease”, “Hamilton”, and “Heathers” is a big one. I’d love to be Veronica Sawyer one day,” Kahtava said.

Although she was nervous to audition she was pleasantly surprised by how well it went. “It’s so much better than you think it will be like all the people who audition are so kind,” Kahtava said. “They’re so helpful, and it’s not as scary as people think. And just practice, hype yourself up, and you’ll do good.” 

Kahtava encourages others to conquer their fears as well and audition for following shows, “I think just get out of your comfort zone. Have fun and do new things,” Kahtava said.

Sierra Coy, however, has been performing for many years. She most recently acted in the one act show, “Too Many Daughters”, which won first place. She was somewhat surprised to get one of the leading roles. “I was up against two very talented actors and singers and both of whom would have also loved to have that role,” Coy said. “So I was just kind of fingers crossed, hoping for it.” 

She does hope to continue with theatre later in life, and she hopes for bigger shows and roles. “To be on Broadway one day would be so cool,” Coy said.  

Even though this is far from Coy’s first show, she is thrilled to be a part of this production. “I’m excited to see all the songs put together. I’m excited to hear all the different harmonies and the ensemble and everything except for everyone to perfect you know, those little things because, and also the set,” Coy said.  “I’m interested to see what they’re going to do for that.”

With every new show comes a different experience and a different cast with a new set of talents.  “Keep doing it. No matter no matter what. No matter what role you get, no matter how difficult it is,” Steen said. “Just keep doing it because you’re going to learn something from every, every role you have, even if it’s ensemble, if it’s just one line. You will learn something from that one line.”