As Ebeneezer Scrooge’s tale came to a close on Dec. 13 with more than 600 audience members in attendance, the drama department of Middletown High School moved on from “A Christmas Carol” to bringing back dance from the town of Bomont in the spring musical, “Footloose.”

“Footloose’s” open auditions are scheduled for Feb. 10-11th with specific times to be decided. For other information, there will be contract paperwork available for cast and crew positions. A mandatory cast and crew meeting will be Feb. 5 and Feb. 8. Desiree Denton, MHS production manager and English teacher, would like to inform students to come into her classroom on club days of Jan. 15 and Jan. 29, and Feb. 5 for help with the upcoming audition. Students should check the drama board outside the auditorium or Denton’s room for additional and updated information.

Max Lamb, MHS sophomore, played old Ebeneezer Scrooge in the winter production. He described “A Christmas Carol” as “definitely a success… The talent that was had in that cast was such an honor to work with. You saw all of us prepared to get down to business. So, add that determination with the amazing directors and tech crew, and you got yourself a show with potential to be something great. And that’s just what it was, in my opinion.”

Lamb said that the whole idea of putting one’s self in someone else’s shoes, embodying the character and coming alive inside of that person is an “extraordinary feeling.”

Denton listed “nothing burned down” as the first mark of success of “A Christmas Carol.” But do you ever wonder what happens in between shows? What are the actors, tech crew and directors up to?

Owen Raynor, MHS sophomore and Bob Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol,” is ready to cut loose. “I’m learning dance routines off of YouTube to brush up on my dancing; I’m singing a variety of show tunes to show what my voice can do, as well as singing the actual soundtrack and also doing character analysis on the characters I want.”

To prepare for “Footloose,” Thomas James, MHS senior, stage manager and the Ghost of Christmas Future in “A Christmas Carol,” said he has “watched the movie and learned the music.”

“The tech crew is also trying to find a way to buy a new laptop for the sound department,” added James.

Maria Duva, MHS assistant director, described the efforts of the adults involved.

“I have been preparing for “Footloose” since last spring,” said Duva.

The first step after the show is chosen is to secure the rights, which have to be done very early. Duva has already ordered scores and librettos and has had numerous planning discussions with Susan Thornton , MHS director; Desiree Denton, MHS production manager; Lisa Dodson, Dee Buchanan, MHS choreographer; and Bill Pressly, MHS set designer.

“There are a lot of administrative tasks that need to be done,” said Duva. “We will be moving full steam ahead in just a few weeks.”

Denton said that whether a student in theater wants to have fun, understand their hobby or wants to go into the profession, MHS drama is a great program for that.

“I think [“Footloose”] will be fun,” said Denton, “We have a very strong core of dance people and we have a very awesome outside choreographer, so I think the fact that it’s a dance show will be fun.”

Denton added that Buchanan, Duva, Thornton and she are all very passionate about the ’80s.

“It is a very exciting era that we can live again through you guys,” she said.