Email
PrintHigh school musical
Go behind the scenes of the Will Rogers High School “Round-Up” show, a dance-laden revue that has been performed at the Tulsa public high school for 46 years.
The “Round-Up” show has become an institution at Will Rogers High School. Now in its 46th year, the show features 34 student cast members and 15 teachers, as well as 30 student set builders and the eight teachers, parents and community members who create the lavish costumes for the production.
Unlike traditional Broadway-inspired high school productions, Will Rogers’ “Round-Up” is a dance-driven revue featuring multiple diverse production numbers, from a “Mission Impossible”-themed dance to a Hawaiian luau to a Spanish flamenco performance and even a Christmas routine.
Directed by Kristina Vassella, Will Rogers’ fine arts department chair, the “Round-Up” show is the result of a full year of work, from choreographing in the summer to in-class and after-school rehearsals year-round. Will Rogers students help devise the show’s themes, create models of potential sets and costume design ideas, and raise funds for the production. Even a few faculty members get in on the action, participating in one of the show’s dance numbers and providing help and support year-round.
Vassella says alumni, especially former “Round-Up” performers, also enjoy and support the show.
“Alumni truly, truly love the ‘Round-Up’ show,” she says. “It’s important to them, it was significant to them and they truly want to see it continue.”
During the two weeks leading up to the April 15 premiere of “Round-Up 2010: ALOHA!” TulsaPeople chronicled the agony and ecstasy of putting the finishing touches on an elaborate high school production. In addition to our images of the rehearsals just prior to opening night, Vassella captured preparation that occurred in the months before the show. This work included putting final touches on lighting and constructing set pieces, such as backdrops, a fountain for the “Spanish Nights” portion of the show, a paper-mache waterfall for the “Hawaiian Breeze” routine and Christmas trees for “Holiday in April.”
