Stealing the Show: FD's Rendition of 'Footloose' Earns Top Honors - from The Messenger

Lindey Krug teaches speech at Fort Dodge Senior High, and directed her first musical for her alma mater. 

Krug and Matt Drees (choral director) helped put together FDSH's 95th annual musical "Footloose" in April this year. 

After receiving awards of recognition from the Iowa High School Music Theatre Awards program, the speech teacher was speechless.

"Our kids amaze me at how hard they work," Krug said. "To make the speech teacher speechless is hard to do."

"They want to put forth their best work and are willing to put in the time to do it. They are learning life skills beyond this experience."

The Iowa High School Music Theatre Awards program toted the Dodger cast with some top honors.

"To direct a musical at my alma mater was special," Krug said. "There was a lot of work put into this and at times it was tough, but at the end it all came together."

The Footloose cast garnered outstanding musical production as as well as outstanding ensemble. 

"The production part is a testament to everyone," Krug said. "All of the parents that helped with costumes, Mr. (Brian) Robison in the pit, Brady O'Brien, who helped with the lights. The stage crew, every that was involved."

"It was just a smattering of people that helped this musical come together."

Mikeal Campbell (Ren), Malaney Butrick (Rusty), Aaron Amhof (Chuck) and Grace Casciato (Vi Moore) earned outstanding performances in principle roles.

Ryan Madden (Shaw Moore), Reese Pederson (Ariel) and Michael Wagner (Willard) for named for special recognition for performance in a principle role for the musical that was held in the Fort Dodge Middle School.

After earning the outstanding musical production award, the Senior High cast has been invited to perform on the Civic Center stage at the Iowa High School Music Theatre Showcase performance on June 18.

"We had a vision of what we wanted and everyone came together to execute it," Krug said. "They helped to a degree that allowed these awards to happen."

In addition to this performance, Campbell, Butrick, Amhof and Casciato have been invited to participate in the Triple Threat Program, which brings together the best high school musical performers in the state to learn and perform together. 

The Dodger crew brought to life the characters from the 1984 film. There were 22 main cast members and more than 25 students in the chorus.