Generous Sponsors Save District Musicals

Idaho Falls School District 91 is presenting its 35th annual musical this weekend, but it’s had to overcome some real challenges to keep the tradition going.

Three years ago this tradition was threatened. Due to budget shortfalls, District 91 cut all funding for the annual musical.

“When funding was cut, I’m not going to lie, I was panicking about whether we’d be able to carry on with the district musical,” Music Department Manager Sharon McGuire said. “We just did some community outreach and asked for some sponsors. The community helped with some sponsorships.”

Director Cindy Benson understands there’s an emphasis nowadays on science, technology and math in the schools, but she maintains plays like this are valuable education tools too.

“They have to learn to count, they have to learn to dance, they have to memorize their lines, and they have to understand how to interpret their lines,” Benson said. “It takes all the other academic disciplines to put a production like this together.”

And the students agree they learn a lot.

“Acting and singing and dancing is like a triple threat so you can really grow, and it helps you as an individual too,” Megan Stephenson said.

One unique thing about the District 91 musicals is that the cast is made of of students from all the high schools in the district. This year the female lead is from Skyline and the male lead from Idaho Falls.

“It’s a great way to make friends, have a lot of fun. It does take a lot of hours, but it is really worth the experience,” Braxton Bird said.

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” will be presented March 10, 11, 14 and 15 at Compass Academy at 7 p.m.