Imagine life without dance. A world absent of celebratory rites of passage like prom, wedding receptions, and homecoming. A world where spontaneous bursts of joyful movement are punishable by law. Unfortunately, it's not difficult in 2023 to picture a dance ban. We're besieged with bans these days. Even with an activity as seemingly innocuous as dance, Sweden (which gave us ABBA) bars public dancing without a special permit. Closer to home, Purdy, Missouri, strictly prohibits dancing (although enforcement is a different matter), and an old law in Bellingham, Washington, bars women from taking more than three steps backward while dancing.

Welcome to Footloose. This musical journey of a teenager trying to overturn a town council’s ban on dancing is familiar to the Barter Theatre family. A previous incarnation broke box office records. I am thrilled to help retell this story of acceptance, community, courage, forgiveness, and jubilation.

Footloose is all those things. Most importantly, though, it’s an unapologetic expression of love and freedom. The protagonist Ren's journey teaches us that faith and fun can and should be compatible. At a time when other bans – from books to looks – increase in number, my hope is you will leave Barter feeling uplifted, hopeful, and perhaps more willing to listen to and celebrate your community and those you love.

What I know for certain is that you will leave Footloose energized by this spectacular cast delivering the explosive choreography of resident choreographer Ashley Campos and the invigorating songs and music generated by music director Dishon Smith.

“There is a time for everything... a time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn. And a time to dance.”  Let’s dance.

- Stephen Schellhardt, Director of Footloose

Ren McCormack
Marcus Robert Wells

Ethel McCormack/Bar Fly
Paris Bradstreet*

Rev Shaw Moore/Cowboy Bob's Band
Nicholas Piper*

Vi Moore/Cowboy Bob's Band
Carrie Smith Lewis*

Ariel Moore
Sabina Demidovich*

Lulu Warnicker/Cowboy Dancer
Sarah Van Deusen

Uncle Wes/Cowboy Bob
Zacchaeus Kimbrell*

Coach Dunbar/Bar Fly
Sam McCalla

Eleanor Dunbar/Betty Blast/Cowboy Dancer
Hannah Ingram*

Rusty/Chicago Youth
Zoë Velling

Urleen/Chicago Youth/Cowboy Dancer
Kiana Clarke

Wendy Jo/Chicago Youth/Cowboy Dancer
Libby Zabit

Willard
Justin Tyler Lewis*

Chuck Cranston/Chicago Youth/Gym Dancer/Cowboy Bob's Band
Sean Maximo Campos*

Lyle/Chicago Youth/Cowboy Dancer
Garrett Summitt

Travis/Chicago Youth/Cowboy Dancer
Ben Milan-Polisar

Jeter/Cop/Chicago Youth/Cowboy Dancer
James Jiggetts

Garvin/Cowboy Dancer
Chris White

Bickle/Chicago Youth/Cowboy Dancer
Kaci Deakins

Principal Clark/Bar Fly
Vince McGill*

Bomont Youth/Gym Dancer/Cowboy Dancer
Aubin Jefferson

Bomont Youth/Gym Dancer/Cowboy Dancer
Stephanie Gutierrez-Diaz

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Director
Stephen Schellhardt

Choreographer/Dance Captain/Intimacy Coordinator
Ashley Campos

Music Director
Dishon Smith

Scenic Designer
Derek Smith

Lighting Designer
Andrew Morehouse

Costume Designer
Lee Alexander Martin

Sound Designer
Matt Green

Assistant Choreographer/Assistant Dance Captain
Ben Milan-Polisar

Fight Captain
Sean Maximo Campos

Assistant Stage Manager
Elizabeth Anne Green*

Production Stage Manager
Cindi A. Raebel*

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors, and Stage Managers in the United States.

Percussion
Bob Ballengee

Production Assistant
Natasha Carpenter

Production Assistant
Dylan Cote

Spotlight Operator
Marissa Emerson

Production Assistant
Alaina "Ace" Evans

Production Assistant
EJ Freed

Swing Dresser
Chantell Fuller

Audio Supervisor
Matt Green

Deck Crew
Wesley Harmon

Gilliam Stage Carpenter
Franklin Hyder

Dresser
Timothy Johnson

Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor
Beks Knost

Spotlight Operator
Abby Kohake

Production Assistant
Lizzie Komosa

Wardrobe Supervisor
Emily Murray

Dresser
Janis Nordeen

Deck Crew
Jacob Nuti

Production Assistant
Holly O'Brien

Light Board Operator
L'Via Rodriguez

Conductor and Keyboard
Dishon Smith

Guitar
Travis Welch

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Season Sponsors

Production Sponsors

FOOTLOOSE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED

STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists