Nic Ecker, Guest Director for DreamWrights’ summer teen musical, Grease, sat down with DreamWrighters to answer some questions.
DW: What attracted you to direct this production?
NE: This show is actually part of my internship at Shippensburg University. Since I am a theatre major, I needed to have a senior showcase that demonstrates what I want to do in the future. Directing this show was a great outlet for just that, since I eventually want to direct theatre shows when I get out of college. Also, I have been in a production of Grease in high school and am very familiar with the show. I love the music and it’s always a crowd favorite.
DW: How many people are involved and what is the age range?
NE: We have a cast of around twenty, with ages ranging from fifteen to twenty-two. We also have a great crew made up also of teens and young adults.
DW: What is the most challenging part of bringing this story to life?
NE: Since this is my first show full-time directing, I am always a little nervous about pulling everything together, but I have a great staff behind be in every action I do. I’ve worked in all-student productions before, which I always thought was going to be hard prior to being on staff. But, I quickly realized if you give them respect, they reciprocate that tenfold. At the end of the day, it’s a very rewarding process being a director, seeing all the hard work you’ve put in being reflected on stage.
DW: Why should people come to see this show?
As I’ve said before, this is a completely teen and young adult production of Grease, which shows how much talent we have coming through the woodwork. Our cast and crew are extremely talented and I’m so proud of all they have done so far. This show is also my directorial debut, so if one day I become famous, then the audience can say they saw my first show that started it all! (ha ha) And also, it’s Grease! Everyone loves Grease and it’s always a good time for both the audience and the cast to be a part of it. The music is iconic and the characters are classic. Everyone should come out to experience a trip down memory lane!
DW: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am going to be a senior at Shippensburg University, majoring in Interdisciplinary Arts and minoring in theatre, music, and communications / journalism. I am very active in the band programs at Ship, being a member of the marching band, jazz band, and concert band. Next year, I will be section leader of the trumpets for marching band. I am also a member of Ship’s theatre group Act V. Last year, I assistant directed our production of Death of a Salesman and was just the music director of The Addams Family in the spring. I have been acting in shows since I was in seventh grade, but, in recent years, I have found my calling being on staff. I have so much love for music and the arts that I can’t image my life without it!
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