Students Help Put On Local Musical Production

Hairspray the Musical is the latest production happening at the Panola Playhouse. The show is running from Feb. 18 through March 4.
The local community cast is comprised of a mix from elementary students and older adults; all sharing the stage and offering a wide range of experience to put on an entertaining performance.
A handful of cast members happen to be University of Mississippi theater students as well.
One Ole Miss student, Lindsey Neyman, is a hired choreographer for the show, in addition to playing a lead role of Penny Pingleton. She is putting her time and effort into this production for more than just a paycheck.
“I could not turn down the opportunity to play Penny or get to choreograph dances for such an iconic show. This experience is a paid job…and a lot of fun,” said Neyman.
These full-time students fully understand their overtime commitment. Their roles and experience are resume builders; potentially leading to future roles in college and after graduation.
“It is extremely stressful,” said Neyman. “With a production of this size, it’s a lot of time spent at the theatre. It’s difficult to juggle homework with rehearsal time. I just have to know when I’m not on stage I need to be getting my homework done.”
Hairspray the Musical is a fast pace show. With hardly a still moment, the constant running, singing and dancing is a large undertaking for any director. Vic Henson stepped up to the challenge for this particular production.
“Directing Hairspray with this cast is truly a labor of love. Working with such a unique and talented cast has been a blast,” said Henson.
Another Ole Miss student playing a lead role is not dedicating her talent for a future under the spotlight. Elizabeth Stewart is pursuing a major in Geological Engineering and a minor in Italian. She thinks of musical theater as a wonderful hobby on the side.
“The show added to my stress during the week because I'm taking 19 hours and am involved with several on campus organizations. It was difficult to spend hours singing and dancing and have the energy to do work or study for a test,” said Stewart. “There have definitely been some late nights.”
Practicing for almost two months prior to show time, the cast feels ready for an audience.
“It's a crazy balance, but when a show is successful, it's an incredible feeling,” said Stewart.
Hairspray is a pleasure for Henson to direct. His enthusiasm for this particular musical grows with each curtain call.
“I hope the audience can share in the high energy and fun we feel with this show. It is an experience we treasure and want that to be relayed,” said Henson.
The cast is ready for an audience, and will be sad when the last curtain call comes. The hard work and time commitment will be over for now, but plenty more in the future.
“There is no better feeling then delivering a line and receiving laughter, or hearing the applause after dancers in your numbers preformed it perfectly,” said Neyman.