LSPA’s ‘School of Rock’ spotlights young actors

Kelly Finley believes there is a rock star in everyone.

“Haven’t you ever daydreamed about being on stage, rocking out with your favorite band?”, Finley asked with a laugh.

That is something Finley knows a lot about these days as she is directing “School of Rock,” running Aug. 21-25 in the Black Box Theatre at Lafayette Society for Performing Arts.

Based on the 2003 film starring Jack Black, the story features Dewey Finn, a guitarist who has been kicked out of his band because of his wild on-stage antics.

Desperate for rent money, he poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. After he discovers the musical talents of his fourth-grade students, he forms a band to try to win the top prize at the upcoming Battle of the Bands.

Finley, Director of Theatre Education and Production at LSPA, said she saw “School of Rock” as the perfect way to bring together the young actors of Lafayette Theatre Academy with the adult actors in Lafayette Theatre Company.

“Usually, the Academy will have a summer camp and then perform a show at the end of camp,” Finley said. “But then I thought it would be a great experience to put the kids together with the adults to do LSPA’s first show of the season, ‘School of Rock.’”

The cast includes 14 young actors, as well as 19 adults.

“One of the greatest discoveries during casting was learning that many of the children are already musicians”, Finley said.

“One has been playing violin since the age of 7, another is proficient on piano, while several are members of Young Singers of West Georgia. This is an incredibly talented cast.”

Finley called in a good friend to serve as a rock advisor, helping shape the cast into rock-and-roll stars.

“Randy Powell is a veteran of LTC, and plays in a rock band himself,” Finley said. “He brought in guitars, amps and cables so we could turn the stage into a rock show.”

Powell said he has enjoyed working with the young musicians.

“All of these kids are rock stars,” Powell said. “They have worked so hard on their characters and learning how to play their instruments.”

The production includes both live instruments and a blend of pre-recorded music to pull together a cohesive and authentic performance. Powell said he made instructional videos on how to play instruments, and has been impressed with how the young cast did their homework.

“I’ve watched them conquer their fears and work harder schedules than many adults,” Powell said.

Will Gray, a senior at LaGrange College, is playing Dewey.

“This has been an incredible dream role for me,” Gray said. “I remember watching the movie as a child and falling in love with it. Jack Black had such an energetic presence and was such an inspiration for me.

“He was a larger guy like myself, but he owned that movie. It showed me that my size doesn’t matter at all.”

He said there are two things he loves about the show.

“It’s the energy and the sheer joy of this production,” he said. “The kids are amazing,” Gray” said. “I channel the energy from the kids, and they channel it back to me. It’s electric.”

“The main messages of the show are acceptance and teamwork. If you need smiles and laughter in your life, this is perfect for you.”

Watching the students and adults work together, Powell said he is proud of what the kids are learning through the process.

“I want them to know that there is nothing wrong with letting loose and rocking out,” Powell said. “Let your hair down, crank up the volume to 11 and jam your favorite tunes. Life is short. Rock on!”

“School of Rock” runs August 21-25 in the Black Box Theatre at Lafayette Society for Performing Arts at 214 Bull Street in downtown LaGrange. Shows are at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for students and $25 for adults. For more information or order tickets, call LSPA at 706-882-9909 or visit our website at LSPArts.org.

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