Director's Note
In the fall of 2011, New York City’s Financial District was taken over by protesters, bringing attention to social and economic inequalities worldwide. I remember walking past Zuccotti Park in the early days of the protests where the demonstrators were mostly young people. As the protests grew, others also became involved, but it was young people who got the ball rolling.
Last year, the Gezi Park protests in Turkey turned into a nationwide anti-government rally. In the Gezi Park Report, it was cited the average age of the protesters was 28.
This September, Hong Kong witnessed one of the biggest protests in its history. At the center of this movement is a 17 year old who isn’t even old enough to vote.
In reading about all these movements, I began to discuss with friends and family why it is that, so often, we see students at the forefront of these campaigns. My fifteen-year-old cousin began telling me about her school’s production of “Footloose.” She attends a small conservative high school in Michigan, and every year they produce censored versions of the classics like Bye, Bye, Birdie and Annie. But last year, in response to declining participation, she and other student leaders went to the school board to protest the censorship and request that they produce Footloose. Through perseverance, they succeeded, and as she told the RCDS cast of Footloose at a recent rehearsal, it was a life-changing experience for her.
Throughout my own journey of Footloose, I rekindled what I’ve always known: the voice of young people is an important one. If the new generation are the ones who are at the forefront of any movement, then it means that they are dissatisfied with the current order. When our own Drama Club leaders requested we explore a more contemporary musical for this year, it was important for the selection committee to hear and come together, just as we see in the story tonight.
This experience has been a very special one for me. The deep respect I have for every student and adult working on this production is immeasurable. I often tell students that theatre is a living thing, and once a show closes, we can carry it on with us for the rest of our lives. I hope the memories of this show will stay with each of you forever!
It is a privilege to present to you Rye Country Day School’s production of Footloose!
Jay Gerlach, Director
