Nico Monge (‘26), Dahlia Ridenhour (‘24), and Zoe Smith (‘25) have done something that no student has done before: Choreographing a musical for the AGHS Theatre Company.
In the past, professionals and former students have choreographed musicals, such as AGHS Theatre and Eagle Times alum Izzy Pedego (’20). However, this year, for the first time, three students have single-handedly choreographed “The Wind in the Willows.”
Ridenhour spearheaded the movement, asking Monge and Smith to join her in choreographing the musical at the end of the 22/23 school year.
“It seemed like a really fun thing to do, seeing as we’re all involved in dance in some aspect,” Monge said.
The trio spent a large chunk of their summer discussing among themselves and the theatre teacher, Sean Blauvelt, how to approach choreographing the nearly two-and-a-half-hour musical.
“[We talked] about what [Blauvelt] wanted and what we were physically capable of,” Smith said.
They ultimately decided the best course of action was to divide the eight dance numbers between themselves. Monge was in charge of “The Wild Wooders,” “The Wild Wooders Reprise,” and “Speed is of the Essence,” Ridenhour handled “The Amazing Mr Toad” and “Toad’s Entrance,” while Smith took charge of “We’re Taking Over the Hall,” “Messing About in a Boat,” and “Finale.”
However, in the end, most dances ended up being a collaboration between all three of them.
“It’s much easier to bounce ideas off of other people than to do it all on your own,” said Smith.
That’s not to say that choreographing the musical went without any conflicts.
“Everyone has this idea of what they want … and sometimes we had to hash it out,” said Ridenhour.
“[We learned] patience, [how to listen] to each other, and when it’s appropriate to step out,” Monge said.
Regardless of their slight disagreements, they persevered, and the end product is something they can’t wait to share.
“I guarantee you will laugh. Maybe you are laughing with us, or maybe you were laughing at us, but you are laughing,” Ridenhour said.
“And you were at the show,” Monge said.
Not only does the trio work hard behind the scenes, they also shine on the stage. Monge stars as Mole, Ridenhour makes a particularly sinister Chief Weasel, and Smith’s incredible dancing skills shine in the ensemble.
The show, which runs for two weekends in early December, follows the story of the eccentric Mr. Toad, his obsession with the motorcar, and the efforts of his friends Badger, Rat, and Mole to keep him out of jail.
Tickets for “The Wind in the Willows” are $20, with discounts for senior citizens ($16) and students/children ($14), and are available for purchase at the Clark Center box office or online: https://clarkcenter.org/shows/aghs-theatre-the-wind-in-the-willows/.
