Adrienne Terry Works Hard for the Spring Musical Another Year

Next week is the premiere of Redwood’s musical, “Bye Bye Birdie”, and while the actors on stage are the ones in the spotlight, it’s important to not overlook the people who made it happen, the directors, and choreographers.

The co-director of the musical is Adrienne Terry and along with being the co-director she is also the choreographer.

Some may think being a co-director isn’t as important as the director but it takes just as much work and dedication as the director. When asked about the type of work she does, she says, “We tackle casting, scheduling, blocking scenes, choreography, acting direction, and so much more.” and she adds, “Building a musical is such a fun but challenging experience, and Mrs. Galvan and I have learned that it’s stronger when we’re together!”.

Terry gives insight on what it means to be a choreographer.

Terry says, “The choreographer’s job is to tell the story of our show through dance.”

Terry also shares a goal she has for being the choreographer and she says, “Energy is always my goal as the ‘movement director!’ I love to add body levels, shapes, and moving parts to every scene.”

Terry says, when choreographing, “First, research. This show specifically takes place in the 50s and just like every decade, the dancing has a particular style. We try to embrace that era of movement as much as possible.”

Regarding the planning for choreography, Terry goes on to say, “I start with the basics of musical theatre movement; box steps, Pivot turns, jazz hands, only partly joking, but as the weeks go by, our cast pushes themselves and always ends up begging for more.”

Terry explains some of the things she has choreographed for the musical.

Terry says, “Telephone hour was such a fun piece to create because of all the colorful phone props we added! I also had a ton of fun with the “Shriner Ballet!” This piece is very male heavy and it was a blast to work with a group of young RHS male students, working to tell a major part of the story through movement!”

Terry shares how she got the position to be the choreographer for the musical.

She says, “I am a born and raised Visalian, who has been submerged in theatre my whole life. I have performed in redwood musicals, I was a RHS dance force member, and my heart bleeds blue.”

Terry goes on to explain how she got connected with Galvin (Redwood’s drama teacher) and how she got into the job of being a choreographer.

Terry says, “When Mrs Galvan was hired as the RHS Drama Teacher, she sot out to build her team. Galvan and I met professionally through my work at TCOE Theatre Co. She took a chance on me as a young choreographer at the age of 19.”

Terry adds on that, “It has been an absolute gift to be able to serve on the directing team at RHS for the past 15 years and our team of Directors is truly like a chosen family.”

Terry has taught many students this year and they’ve been able to grow as actors, singers, and dancers and Terry is very happy with their progress. 

Terry has expressed how proud she is of her students and how far they have come, saying, “I love watching the progress my cast members make through learning choreography for the show!” and she also adds, “I watch the students at redwood rise to the challenge and put in the hard work.”

“Bye Bye Birdie” is February 2, 3, 4 at 7:00 pm and February 4 at 2:00 pm in the LJ Williams Theater. 

Tags: arts and entertainment, drama, musical, musicals, Redwood Musical, rhs, rhs drama