Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire
The cast of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s production of “Fame: The Musical” perform during rehearsal in the high school’s auditorium. In the front row (left to right) are Rueben Grimes, Clara Smith, Eulaysia Bostrack. In the back row are (left to right): Roman Mahanyu, Zoey Billings, Rachel Wood and Shelby York.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire The cast of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s production of “Fame: The Musical” perform during rehearsal in the high school’s auditorium. In the front row (left to right) are Rueben Grimes, Clara Smith, Eulaysia Bostrack. In the back row are (left to right): Roman Mahanyu, Zoey Billings, Rachel Wood and Shelby York.

JDHS puts on pandemic-friendly production of ‘Fame: The Musical’

Feel it coming together?

Not every role is such a stretch. In an upcoming Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé production of “Fame: The Musical,” talented high school students will take the stage to portray talented high school students enrolled in a performance arts school.

But that’s not to say that putting on a musical stage show amid a pandemic hasn’t presented distinct challenges.

“We kind of knew that going in that it was going to be a lot more work,” said Tommy Varela-Kossak, JDHS drama and acting student teacher, in a phone interview. “We said ‘We’re going to give it our best shot.’ Luckily, we’ve been able to pull it off.”

The musical will be available to stream Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While the streaming video will be of a pre-recorded performance, Varela-Kossak said the show available to folks at home will be shot in one take in an effort to maintain the energy of live theater.

The student actors will be performing in masks, and a socially distanced band under the direction of Thunder Mountain High School’s Brian Van Kirk will provide accompanying live music while spread out in the mostly empty JDHS auditorium.

Varela-Kossak said students have had to work especially hard on breath control in light of the COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Clara Smith talks to Jaylynn Martin in a scene during rehearsal for “Fame: The Musical.” Masks are part of the mitigation measures the production adopted in light of the pandemic. Additionally, the show, which opens Friday evening, will be livestreamed instead of performed in front of a full auditorium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Clara Smith talks to Jaylynn Martin in a scene during rehearsal for “Fame: The Musical.” Masks are part of the mitigation measures the production adopted in light of the pandemic. Additionally, the show, which opens Friday evening, will be livestreamed instead of performed in front of a full auditorium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Additionally, he said the pandemic introduced some rehearsal wrinkles.

“If a student is ever considered a close contact for someone who has tested positive, there is a quarantine they’ve had to abide by,” Varela-Kossak.

That’s something that came up multiple times, but quarantining students were able to participate in practice via video. That kept the production on track.

Offering the show via streaming created complications, too. Varela-Kossak said initially, the spring musical was envisioned as being “Mama Mia,” but streaming rights proved to be that plan’s Waterloo.

[How technology helps Juneauites take the fight to Parkinson’s]

“We had to find a show that would let us stream,” Varela-Kossak said. “’Fame’ is kind of what we landed on.”

“Fame: The Musical” is a 1988 musical based on a 1980 film that won a slew of awards, including an Academy Award, for its music and led to television series and 2009 remake.

It follows a disparate cast of characters who are students at a prestigious performing arts school as they wrestle with a host of coming-of-age-type problems that are sometimes humorous and other times heavy.

Varela-Kossak said the show, which follows the lives of students at a prestigious performing arts school, features resonate themes and recognizable adversity.

“We all can relate to some of the struggles in this show,” Varela-Kossak said.

Tommy Pearson (right) sings during rehearsal for “Fame: The Musical.” Rueben Grimes can be seen in the background. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Tommy Pearson (right) sings during rehearsal for “Fame: The Musical.” Rueben Grimes can be seen in the background. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Plus, it’s a chance for students, friends and family to enjoy a live theater production despite uncertainty that’s dogged the school year.

“It’s been a whole bunch of unknowns,” Varela-Kossak said. “A lot of unknowns that have now been aligning. We are really just glad to be able to produce some live theater in whatever capacity we can.”

Know & Go

What: “Fame: The Musical”

When: 7 p.m. on March 12 and 13, 2:30 p.m. on March 14.

Where: Online.

Admission: One person $10, family ticket $25. They can be purchased online at Showtix4u.com/events/JDHSFame.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich and his supporters wave campaign signs at the corner of the Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
U.S. House passes two bills from Alaska Rep. Nick Begich

One month into his term, Alaska’s lone representative says he’s generally satisfied with how things have gone so far.

A free children’s dance concert produced by Sybil Davis featured story dances, rock n’ roll and jazz. This photo was published in the Juneau Empire on March 6, 1981. (Mark Kelley / Juneau Empire file photo)
Glide into 50 years with Juneau Dance Theatre at a celebratory gala

“We’re big enough now where we can offer something for everyone.”

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey senior captain Luke Bovitz (4) was selected to the 2025 Northern Lights All-Conference Team this week at the ASAA state hockey tournament. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Bovitz, Welch earn all-conference hockey honors

JDHS senior, junior honored before state tourney.

Students arrive at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé for the first day of the 2024-25 school year Aug. 15. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Students return unharmed to school after smoke detected at JDHS

CCFR gave the “all clear” for school to resume normal schedule.

Fireworks detonate just above a barge in Gastineau Channel during the show that began just after midnight on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Bob Gross)
City leaders consider alternatives to July 4 fireworks show after 2023 mishap raises safety concerns

Assembly members OKs same show this year if volunteer group willing, exploring other options for future.

Tim Ackerman begins the process of removing a dead seal’s pelt on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, on the Letnikof Cove shoreline. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)
Five headless seals have washed up on Chilkat Valley beaches in the last few months; here’s possibly why

Local marine mammal hunter weighs says the carcasses offer a glimpse into Alaska’s marine ecosystem.

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people gather in Juneau for the opening of Celebration on June 5, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
New lawsuit seeks to limit Alaska Native tribes’ authority, stop Eklutna gambling hall

State challenges legal interpretation that allows tribes to exert authority over as much as 2.7M acres.

Most Read