RO’s “Fiddler on the Roof” cast celebrates IHSMTA success

The Red Oak Community High School music and theater department recently participated in the 2023 Iowa High School Music Theater Awards Showcase at the Des Moines Civic Center.
The school was honored for its achievements for the February production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” directed by Tim and Terra Marsden. The school was recognized with awards for Outstanding Musical Production; Outstanding Ensemble; Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role for Lena Torbett and  Jonah Wemhoff; and Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role for Grace Goldapp, Lily Marsden, and Josie Rengstorf.
Red Oak was one of 94 districts recognized during the showcase. Marsden said the students were able to participate in a host of activities.
“The showcase was held on June 1, and the Friday before that, we were in rehearsal with different kids at different times preparing for it. The full cast of “Fiddler on the Roof” had a tech rehearsal in Des Moines on May 31. We had about two hours of rehearsal, and got used to the stage at the Civic Center, and got to work with the professional band brought in for the show and the lighting and camera crews,” Marsden said. “They had the choreographers for the show watch our choreography and make any adjustments that they needed to make. We are also participants in a medley with two other schools. Charles City did a song, then we did our version of “Tradition,” and then Cedar Rapids Kennedy did a part from their own show.”
Lena Torbett and Jonah Wemhoff,were recognized with the “Triple Threat Award,” not only recognizing them for their performances in “Fiddler on the Roof,” but allowing them to compete with 105 other students from across the state for unique opportunities.
“They did auditions and workshops with college and university professors in theater and music. Two students in the state were then selected to represent Iowa for the National High School Music Theater Awards in New York City. They spent a lot of time doing that, and then they performed in a medley where they performed an amazing song and choreography, working with a Broadway choreographer and music director during the awards showcase June 1,” stated Marsden.
Lily Marsden and Josie Rengstorf, who received special recognition for their performances in “Fiddler on the Roof,” were part of another opening medley.
“They worked with about 80 other students. They had three different days of working with the choreographer and music director and the other students to get ready for that. We had all kinds of preparations to do, and a lot of trips to Des Moines, but it was an amazing time,” commented Marsden.
Marsden said while all the students had a great time, being singled out made the event even more special for Torbett, Wemhoff, Lily Marsden, and Rengstorf.
“They really enjoyed getting to go to the next level and compete and perform with other students. Performing at a really high level was really exciting and humbling. They also got to work with industry professionals, and it was just awesome and an amazing experience,” Marsden commented.
Marsden added it was also a special experience for the full cast to share in the outstanding musical production award with 13 other students.
“For our students to be among big schools like Waukee, Waukee Northwest, Johnston, and Indianola, and be at the same level as they were was pretty special. We kind of had to pinch ourselves, because it was amazing. I don’t know if everyone realized that we’re a 2A school and we were competing with the big dogs. It felt really good and we were all really proud to be from Red Oak and proud of our performances,” stated Marsden. “We were overwhelmed with pride and excitement for our kids, and we were hopeful to bring some of that excitement back to the community. It’s one thing to do great musicals and have a great tradition, but then we were recognized in this class with these larger schools as well.”
Beyond the outstanding performances, Marsden said the recognition meant a great deal more, as Red Oak was competing against schools that have big budgets.
“In some of these schools, they’re being given $10,000 or $20,000 a year to do their musicals, whereas we don’t have a budget, and whatever we do has to be made through ticket sales or fundraisers.  Still, kids are kids, and if they are talented and have the right direction, they can do anything.”
As for the show itself, Marsden said there were a number of factors that led to him choosing “Fiddler on the Roof” for this year’s production.
“I usually start the process as soon as summer starts so I can plan for it, and I had a list of 10 to 12 shows. Usually I do a traditional show and a modern show, but since I did “Guys and Dolls” before, it was against my pattern to do a show like this. However, as I looked at the students, I knew we had a lot that would love the opportunities that the show would offer. I remember there was a day in August, and I’d been listening to it. Halfway through the mowing I came in and told Terra we were doing Fiddler this year, and she said it was going to be awesome,” advised Marsden
Another factor in choosing the show was based on the political scene, specifically, the war in Ukraine.
“The story of “Fiddler on the Roof” takes place in what would be modern-day Ukraine, and it’s kind of that forever struggle for human survival. There were so many things that just kind of led to it being “Fiddler on the Roof.” The final step is that I when I choose a show, I take all the parts in it, and I make sure I could cast three different kids in each role. If I feel really good and strongly about that, I go for it. And ultimately, all of that is why I landed on Fiddler,” Marsden said.
Being able to direct the musical is the thrill of his job, and Marsden said it’s his favorite part of what he does.
“I think it’s because you get to take so many creative elements, put it together with the music and the drama and get the set together. I just love that. And our students work so hard to create great shows and great music, and I don’t always think they get all the recognition they could or should. Being able to participate in the awards this year has allowed us to demonstrate we’re doing things at a pretty big level,” Marsden commented.
Now that the awards are over, Marsden is hopeful that community support will keep on growing.
“We want them to come out to the shows and the concerts. I’ve been a little disappointed the last few years that our attendance has been pretty low. I feel like maybe the community doesn’t completely know about the great things these kids are doing. It’s not about me or anybody else, it’s about these amazing students who give of themselves, dig deep, and give tons of their time. A lot of these kids are athletes, cheerleaders, and these are kids highly-ranked academically who are giving their time up but also keeping their grades up and doing really well with that. We try to celebrate that a lot,” said Marsden.
Now that summer has begun, Marsden said he’s considering musicals for 2024, but he’s not ready to share just what yet.
“So far this summer I’ve been down two very serious tracks with two shows, but I don’t reveal my pick to anyone but Mrs. Marsden. I’ve got some great feelers though, and I’m looking at who we’ve got, the incoming freshmen, and we’ve got an amazing pool of talent that we’re going to get to work with. It’s going to be another exciting year.”