Footlighters
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING poster by Amara Fuchs
HHS FOOTLIGHTERS
is the Hanover High School's Student Theater
advised by Yuliya Ballou .
We produce three shows a year:
- the fall classic by Shakespeare, Molière or Sophocles. Everyone who auditions receives a part, making it a great opportunity for students to get involved even if they've never acted before. Our recent plays: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth. This fall it’s: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and our wonderful Terry Samwick is back to direct!
- the winter modern play, with a smaller cast. Last year we produced "I'M FINE" by Nina Zakhozhenko. This year we proudly announce the upcoming winter production, "Tales of Terror" – a double-feature theater event that promises to leave you breathless. Each performance will kick off with a gripping adaptation of Henry James’ "The Turn of the Screw," skillfully adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by the amazing Amanda Rafuse. Accompanied by original music composed by our student, Samuel Sanders, and performed by him (piano) and another student, Lucia Lotterhand (cello). The second half of our winter showcase will feature original works written, directed, and acted by students in a series of bite-sized Ghostly Tales. Audiences are invited to join us for three public performances: Thursday, January 30 at 7 PM, Friday, January 31 at 7 PM, and Saturday, February 1 at noon. Tickets can be purchased at footlighters.ludus.com. All performances will take place in Greg Hemberger Memorial Auditorium at Hanover High School. More than 35 students are offering their talents – on-stage and off – for this extraordinary event.
Every spring we produce a musical. Everyone who auditions receives a part. Even if you do not think of yourself as a singer or a dancer, we encourage you to audition and come learn with us. Our recent musicals were The Prom! and Mean Girls, HS Version. We are thrilled to announce that this year's musical is HADESTOWN: Teen Edition by Anäis Mitchell. Emma Rose Brooks will be directing the musical as well as choreographing it. Our co-music directors are Carol Cronce and Jenn Langhus. The show dates are May 8th-11th, 2025, with the show on the 11th being a matinee.
Every show has multiple teams:
tech (lights, spotlights, sound, backstage crew), costuming, hair & make up, community engagement (posters, dramaturgy, media presence, program editing, ticket sales, front of house management). Everyone helps with the set. (We generally work on the set on weekends.) We also welcome parents' help. Theater is a TEAM sport and everyone is welcome on our team to help bring a production to life!
!!! We encourage you to audition or join other Footlighters teams, learn with us and make new friends. Email Yuliya Ballou, Footligthers’ advisor/producer, at footlighters@dresden.us to sign up for the fall comedy (to audition or be on one of the teams) & find out more about the Footlighters and/or to receive auditions information. We welcome EVERYONE to get involved in many different ways.
Footlighters’ mission is to ensure theater, performance, and the benefits of creativity are available to all HHS students. We believe storytelling is an essential part of the human experience; participating in theater helps us to express what we care about and why, reminding us of who we are and what we can be. Footlighters’ productions are designed to develop skills, explore interests, promote creativity, and build community. With guidance and support from faculty and area professionals, who mentor the students in performance, design, engagement/marketing, and technical skills, our hard-working talented students produce three shows annually.
Email Yuliya Ballou at footlighters@dresden.us to find out how you could get involved with HHS Footlighters. We welcome students, staff, and community members to get involved in many different ways.