High School Entertainment for a Cause

October 22, 2024
By Molly Krupat
• In a production of “Legally Blonde,” a group of Needham High School students are finding their voice while amplifying another, just down the street.

Students Acting to Make a Difference, or SAMD, will donate proceeds from their upcoming shows to Circle of Hope, a local nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness by providing them with hygiene products and clothing. SAMD also partnered with Circle of Hope for last year’s performance.

The student-led theater company stages a show each fall to not only exercise their creativity but also make an impact on a community organization.

“The students select a show, hire a creative team, and organize the relationship with the charity,” Director Amber Crossman wrote in an email. “Fundamental to Students Acting to Make a Difference is that we are making a difference.”

Shows will be held in the Newman Elementary School auditorium on Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., as well as on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.

“Legally Blonde: The Musical” — which began as the hit 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon — follows sorority girl Elle Woods (played by junior Nadia Tess) as she enrolls in Harvard Law School, and in doing so, succeeds in challenging the stereotypes and odds against her. Her ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington will be played by sophomore Miles Yountz, love interest Emmett Forest will be played by junior Miles Salerno and Elle’s esthetician friend Paulette will be played by senior Mia Maffeo.

The musical’s catchy songs and positive message resonate with Stage Manager and NHS junior Jenny Koslow.

“I think it’s really important for girls of high school age to remember it’s never too late to make a name for yourself and follow your dreams!” Koslow wrote.

NHS senior Lily Katz joined SAMD her freshman year and later the board in January that year, on which she now serves as president. In choosing the show, Katz noted they have specific criteria.

“We really focus on picking shows that have lots of big ensemble numbers, relatively simple set and costume requirements, and fun roles!” Katz wrote in an email.

Rachel Fleckner, an NHS junior who plays the judge in the musical’s famous courtroom scene, enjoys the lightheartedness of “Legally Blonde.”

“I like that a lot of the music is kind of pop-y and I love watching everyone do some insane vocal riffs,” Fleckner wrote. “My favorite number for sure is ‘Whipped Into Shape.’”

Rehearsals started in early September, giving the cast and crew about eight weeks before curtains to learn the show but also connect with each other. With a full schedule, schoolwork and other obligations, the fall is already hectic enough — but luckily, the musical is a team effort, Crossman wrote. Apart from her directing duties, she is also one of the show’s choreographers.

“SAMD has quite the fast turn around, which is why we are full-force-go right from the start,” Crossman wrote. “Some days are focused on music, some on dance, and some on staging or blocking scenes.”

Ahead of this weekend’s shows, the cast began run-throughs and added in technical elements, Crossman added. It’s a schedule and regime Crossman is accustomed to, having joined SAMD first as an NHS student and now as a theatre education masters student at Emerson College.

What drives SAMD is the community around it — the group doesn’t cut anyone interested in participating, and the charitable nature of each production “reemphasizes the importance of connection and making giving back personal,” she wrote.

Staying involved with Needham theater in this way is special, she added.

“Theatre has always been a place for discovery and confidence building for me, and being able to facilitate that process for students now is what drew me to theatre education,” Crossman wrote.

The skillset theater provides, as well as that focus on doing good, is valuable to Koslow.

“While doing this, I have had so many valuable experiences with leadership, organization, and collaboration, and most importantly for me it has given me a community and taught me just how important that is,” Koslow wrote. “It also is so great to do what I love for a good cause, it’s such a wonderful opportunity to help the community.”

Tickets are available on the Needham Public Schools’ website.