Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.

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This week's spotlight is Jones Middle School of Upper Arlington, Ohio, and their production of Footloose: Youth Edition. This version of the Broadway show, which was adapted from the hit movie, is perfect for young performers. The musical follows Ren, new to a small town and struggling under the strict town edicts (including a ban on dancing!) handed down by the local preacher. A celebration of the wisdom of listening to young people, Footloose: Youth Edition, teaches the importance of approaching others with a warm heart and an open mind. 

Music teacher Sarah Santilli shared with Playbill the challenges she faces as a performing arts educator, the celebration she's planning for her school and community, and how she hopes Footloose can make a positive impact on families. 

Tell us a little about yourself. How many years have you been teaching? 
Sarah Santilli: I have been at Jones Middle school for 14 years, though I have been teaching for 20 years overall.

What is your proudest moment as an educator?
My proudest moments as an educator are any time I'm watching my students pursue professions in the performing arts—from acting, to lighting design, to music education.

Can you share a little bit about the value you see in having a performing arts program in schools?
 We feel that the fall production teaches real world life lessons, not just about performing, but also about teamwork, flexibility, dealing with rejection or disappointment, creativity, ownership, planning, leadership and peer management, etc.

What are the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of teaching the performing arts to today’s students?
The most challenging aspect aspect of teaching the performing arts is communication. Musical theatre is very complex with a lot of detailed information for families new to performing. We consider and update our communication strategy each year and haven't yet found the best way to organize all the information families need to know.

However, the most rewarding aspect is students shining on stage and off stage at the performances when everything comes together and they make it their own.

What shows are your kids obsessed with right now?
Mean Girls (our high school just did it) and Beetlejuice Jr. are the hot topics right now.

How does your school’s performing arts programs impact your community?
The fall production is truly a community event. We engage 20 percent of the students in our building as cast or tech crew and many more attend the performances, including a large number of alumni. Parents are responsible for many tasks as well to realize our director's vision. Community organizations donate their skills and funds to make the production possible. It is an annual event for many families, even those who don't have students in school anymore. We will be celebrating our 50th anniversary next year and are excited to start planning the celebration!

What are your dreams for how your drama department can grow?
I would love to do a combined show with our sister middle school, Hastings, over the summer in our high school's new performing arts space.

Tell us a little bit about the production. What made you pick the show? 
At Jones' fall production, we run a three year rotation of show styles: fantasy, modern, and traditional. The rotation helps us make sure our students get a variety of experiences in theatre and learn new shows they haven't been exposed to before. This year is a "modern" year. Footloose has never been performed in the 48 year history of our fall production and was a good fit for our students.

What are the kids loving about the show?
Students are loving the music! This has also helped build stronger connections with their parents who grew up with this music and movie. Our hope is that Footloose can help build a bridge for families, starting conversations at the dinner table. I also like the adult side of the story and think many of our parents can relate to that.

What message do you have for your students as they take the stage? 
Our stage director, Dana Boda, said it best when talking to the students about this show for the first time—this show is about the power of young people to make a difference in their world. She also quoted the late Gavin Creel, a family friend of theirs, who said, “I believe the arts have an impact in a way that just makes the world more beautiful. I really, truly believe in an investment in young people in the arts. It’s an investment in a more beautiful world. We have the ability to change people’s minds and hearts—that’s what we want to do with theatre.”

How did the students participate in the design or production of this Playbill?
Students are not directly involved in the design or production of our Playbill, however parents submit family ads that show the growth of our students over time and the program acts as a historical record of our organization overall.

What reactions do you expect to see in students when they see their name printed in this Playbill for the first time? 
Students and their siblings used the Playbill to collect signatures from performers, tech crew, directors—anyone who had a hand in Footloose: Youth Edition this year. They feel proud to see their names printed in the Playbill which is such a professional document just like they see on Broadway.

How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource?
PLAYBILLDER has been a time-saving resource for us! Program design used to take someone with digital software knowledge and training in design or marketing. Now we can use the templates provided to create an extremely professional looking program with less time and for a very small fee. It has been simple to use, download, and print.

To design Broadway-quality programs for your next show, head to PLAYBILLDER.com. Who knows, you might just be featured in our next PLAYBILLDER Spotlight! And if you are looking for a beautiful way to display your Playbills, click here to purchase Playbill frames.