“Goofy, but in a good way” is how Oak Grove High senior Jackson Hartley describes the school’s upcoming production of “The SpongeBob Musical.”
“I embrace the goofiness of my role and the play,” said Hartley, who plays SpongeBob. “It’s like Mr. P (Peterson) said, ‘Go for it.’ ”
Hartley and senior co-star Suyapa Ribera, who plays Plankton, were in disbelief and then ecstatic that theater arts teacher Jeremy Peterson chose “The SpongeBob Musical.” While it’s based on a show both grew up watching and liking, it’s, well, a cartoon, which they thought an odd choice for high school actors. But then they got into the idea of playing the characters that entertained their childhood selves.
“I thought Mr. P (Peterson) was lying when he told us the play,” Ribera said. “I didn’t believe him at first. I was like, ‘Who could I possibly be cast as in that play?’ ”
Turns out she loves her role as the undersea villain and operator of Chum Bucket, the unpopular restaurant in Bikini Bottom.
“All my other roles have been very different,” she said, noting this is her 10th play or one-act show at Oak Grove High. “I’ve been princesses or female activists. It’s my first role as a villain.”
Hartley, who has performed in 11 plays or one-act shows, said he was determined to have fun with his role and loves that the entire cast is doing the same.
“I listened to Mr. P,” he said. “Don’t go to be the character. You are the character.”
For both Ribera and Hartley, the play is bittersweet because it will be their last large production at the school before graduating. They said they are grateful for the growth the arts program has allowed them.
“I started as tech in theater arts when I was a sophomore,” he said.
“I was a tree in my first play,” Ribera said.
“The SpongeBob Musical” will be performed at 7 p.m. March 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. March 23 at the Oak Grove High School Auditorium. Tickets are $12 for preferred seating, $10 general admission and $5 for students. Tickets are available at he door or in advance at https://events.eventgroove.com/event/The-Spongebob-Musical-106226.
Other students performing in the play are: Abbi Utt, as Gary, Teen fan, Sea creature; Addison Bruins, Squidward Q. Tentacles; Adrianalee Watson, Electric skate 3, Hip-hop dancer, Dance captain, Sardeene devotee ensemble; Alex Moore, Patchy the Pirate, Cowboy fish, Sea creature, Mob fish; Amy Toledo-Ramirez, Pearl Krabs, Scenic designer; Anna Delcid, Plankton backup singer, Sardeene devotee 3, Pirate; Ava Green Mrs. Puff, Sardeene devotee ensemble; Bella Winfrey, Sardeene devotee 5, Cowboy fish, Pirate; Carrie Robson, Eugene H. Krabs; Claire Powell, Teen fan, Girl fish trio, a Fish, Mob fish, Plankton backup singer, sea creature, Pirate; Emma Beasley, Old Man Jenkins, Sardeene devotee ensemble, Plankton backup singer; Finn Harrell, Buster Bluetang, Mob fish, Plankton backup singer, Pirate, Sea creature; Francesca Sharp, Sandy Cheeks; Haley York, Sardeene devotee 1, Cowboy fish, Pirate; Hanna Pugh, Sardeene devotee 4, Girl fish trio, Plankton back up singer, Pirate; Hannah Middleton, The Mayor of Bikini Bottom; Henry Hawkins, Perch Perkins; Jackson Hartley, Spongebob Squarepants; Jeinysha Medonza Argon, Hip-hop dancer, Electric skate 2, Sardeene devotee ensemble, Plankton’s backup dancer; Jordan Price, Johnny the Bartender, Pirate; Kai Plummer, Security guard, Cowboy fish, Mob fish, Sea creature; Raegen Allen, Teen fan, Plankton backup singer, Pirate; Riley Vazquez, The French narrator, Sea creature, Mob fish; Savannah Negip, Girl fish trio, a Fish, Mob fish, Sea creature; Shelby Woodrum, Sardeene devotee 2, Plankton’s backup dancer, Pirate; Sofia Castro, Sheldon J. Plankton;
Backstage, tech and props are by: Cali Gabbard, stage manager; Indigo Martin, stage manager; Evan Miller, DJ/Maestro; Grace Gardner, Foley artist; Landon Rogers, Foley artist; Leah Shipko, light designer; and Hayden Archer, Emma Beasley, Cali Gabard, Joseph Ridge, Noah Salvatierra, Francesca Sharp, Emma Shonk, Claire Tippett, Riley Vazquez and Landon Zink, set and prop construction.
