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Close to 60 students crowd into the Black Box theatre, finding friends and talking animatedly. Small
clusters start to form. The group of seniors towards the front calls for silence and the pandemonium
ends so rehearsal can begin.

"[I like] making friends with people back stage because you get to know people you wouldn't otherwise,"
senior Alexx Lyon said. This is her second musical at Stillwater Area High School.

Every day until Feb. 25, the large cast of Grease will be getting ready to put on a show. It will take every
ounce of energy the students have. Between vocal rehearsals, finding the perfect costume, blocking and
choreography rehearsals, there is barely time to breath.

Legs are flying and tempers are running high as students learn the Hand Jive. It is not what you may be
thinking. Everyone knows the cute clapping part. It is what happens before the cutesy stuff that
challenges actors.

"In an attempt to flip Paige Espelien ('11), I accidentally ripped out a significant amount of her hair. That
was a little awkward," senior David Beaudway said.

Yes, boys and girls. He said flips. In the Hand Jive, which is the hardest piece of choreography in the
show, there are gymnastics. If you have seen swing dancing in the movies, then you know what the
Hand Jive will look like.

Other than choreography, there are vocal rehearsals, which are generally liked by actors. Considered a
break almost, vocals are usually in the choir room. The cast will go through the mass pieces to learn
harmonies.

"We go together [is my favorite song] because at the end of the song it says we'll always be together
and I'm a senior and this is the last time I'll be able to be on stage with everybody," senior Kylie
Schrankler said. "I'm going to bawl my eyes out."

The story of Grease is a well known one, it is about life in high school in the late 1950's. Acting advice
director Heari Tollefson gives actors is, "The teenagers are the same, it's just the time and the place."

Being set in the 1950's, costumes have potential to be a problem. Many students make trips to vintage
stores and thrif stores while others will take advantage of the situation and reant their costume. The Pink
Ladies will be renting their jackets.

"My mother will be making my costumes," senior Maria Malik said. "Other than that, probably
Goodwill."

Throwing a musical as intense as Grease together can be rough. Only having two moths to do it can
add to the stress. The cast will experience ups and downs, a lot of laughs and plenty of drama.

"Oh, there's great drama behind the scenes," Lyon said.

It is not all bad drama. Some of it is just funny. Most of the stories revolve around choreography. Grease
has a lot of big dance scenes, adding to the pressure.

The cast is confident despite the sometimes overwhelming rehearsals. "[Our biggest strength is] Our
enthusiasm." Malik said. "I think everyone is really excited about the show and it definitely shows in
rehearsal, which makes it so much fun."

To see all of the hard work and insanity come together, stop by to see the show Feb. 25 through 27 at 7
p.m. and Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Rest assured, there will still be plenty of insanity to go around.