Faculty members cut loose for 'Footloose'

Milligan College’s professor of theatre Richard Major has changed the way he is casting older adult roles. The Nov. 10-13 presentation of “Footloose” will feature not only college students but also a number of faculty and staff portraying the older adult characters.
“I wanted to allow the young people to just be and play young people,” said Major. “And using older adults for the older adult roles will help make the play more believable to the audience.”
Adapted from the 1984 cult classic film starring Kevin Bacon, “Footloose” tells the story of a teenage boy from a big city who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing are banned.
“‘Footloose’ is the classic story of teen rebellion and repression,” said Major. “Many people will be able to relate. It is both contemporary and holds shared perspectives.”
Major also thinks the audiences will be entertained with a song list ranging from 1980s hit songs like “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Almost Paradise” and the title song “Footloose.”
“I find it pretty ironic that a school’s theater department is putting on a song and dance musical where dance is restricted,” said campus minister Nathan Flora with a laugh. “So I think Milligan students will be able to relate and appreciate its message.”
Prior to the Sept. 7 auditions, Major encouraged six members of Milligan’s faculty and staff to audition for the older adult roles. All made the cut and will appear in the musical: academic dean Mark Matson, history professor Tim Dillon, biology professor Gary Wallace, mathematics professor Marvin Glover, Faculty Office Building secretary Nancie Rogers and Flora.
“Dick twisted my arm,” Matson said sarcastically. “I usually don’t volunteer for stuff like this, but I thought it would be something fun and new to try.” “Marvin Glover is the culprit behind me getting involved,” said Wallace, laughing. “He and Richard Major approached me about a part they thought I would be good at. I’ve never acted before, but I thought it would be fun to try something new.”
Senior Crystal Van Meter pointed out that she felt the cast and crew of students almost instantly accepted the faculty as “just one of the family.”
“You start to see them as real people,” said senior Missie Mills. “You see a side of them that you normally wouldn’t see.”
Sophomore Caitlin Smith agreed. “Being in plays you get to know the other people you are working with a lot,” she said. “So it is a great experience and opportunity to get to know Mark, Gary and the rest of the faculty out of a classroom setting.”
Students said they were amazed by the acting talent the faculty have demonstrated at rehearsals.
“Wallace just cracks me up with his Cowboy Bob character,” said sophomore Robert Kitchens. “It’s great! We all are on the same level and, as opening night gets closer, the bonds will get even closer.”
Lead actor and senior Josiah Potter hopes Milligan students and people in the community will come see the play.
“It’s going to be huge,” said Potter. “We have a small intimate theater that fits 100 to 150. (The audience) will be able to feel the sweat dripping off the dancers’ faces. And just the quality and time put into this production hopefully will show everyone what Milligan