Harpeth High Theatre steps into spotlight with ‘Freaky Friday’
The Harpeth High School Theatre Department will bring the Disney musical “Freaky Friday” to the stage Nov. 20-22 — marking a lively next step for the growing program led by theatre teacher Jamie Emery.
Following last year’s production of “Beetlejuice Jr.,” Emery said this show represents an exciting challenge for her students.
“Last year we did ‘Beetlejuice Junior,’ which was a good kind of start for them — especially for those who hadn’t been in a musical before,” she said. “This show was the next step. It’s the ‘Freaky Friday’ one-act edition, designed for high school students. We’ve got a bunch of really talented girls who aren’t afraid to jump in the spotlight, and this gives us a chance to feature them.”
Based on the Disney stage adaptation of the classic body-swap story, “Freaky Friday” tells the tale of a mother and daughter who magically switch places and are forced to see life from each other’s point of view.
“It’s a good, feel-good story – especially for moms and daughters,” Emery said. “It’s all about walking around in someone else’s shoes and creating empathy for people you might not always see eye-to-eye with.”
The musical centers around a schoolwide scavenger hunt, replacing the rock band competition from the 2003 Lindsay Lohan–Jamie Lee Curtis movie.
“It’s different, but it keeps that same heart – learning to understand each other and see the world from another perspective,” Emery said.
A cast full of talent
Senior Hadley Davis plays the mother, while Abby Schaefer portrays the daughter — before the two swap bodies for most of the show. Emery said the pair’s chemistry was clear from the first audition.
“It was so fun to watch those two just fit so perfectly into their parts,” she said.
Other featured cast members include Violet Dawson, a sophomore who plays a “very strict, overbearing gym teacher” with what Emery described as a “showstopping song,” and Zandria Johnston, a junior new to theatre who plays the resident mean girl.
Freshman Bailey Gossett also takes on a standout comic role as the 10-year-old little brother.
“She does such a great job,” Emery said. “I told the freshmen if they wanted to audition, they could – and Bailey just jumped right in.”
In total, 40 students are involved on stage, with additional backstage crews and technicians helping to run the production.
Emery said this show also highlights the creativity of her two technical theatre classes, who designed and built all of the props and painted the detailed set pieces – including special effects elements that have to break and be reassembled during performances.
“The set is really impressive,” she said. “The kids built every bit of it. They had to figure out how things could break apart and be put back together so we could reuse them. I’m really proud of the tech classes and the behind-the-scenes students as much as the kids on stage.”
Junior Graham Petty will serve as student technical director, calling light and sound cues from the booth – a first for him.
“He’s a little nervous, but he’s doing great,” Emery said. “It’s a big step for him, and he’s rising to the challenge.”
Building toward spring – and 249 props
Emery said “Freaky Friday” has been a valuable learning experience for the students – especially as they prepare for their spring production of “Puffs,” a British comedy spoofing the “Harry Potter” series.
“That show has 249 props,” Emery said with a laugh. “So this has been a great warm-up for the tech kids to get creative.”
She added that “Freaky Friday” has challenged both her students and herself as a director.
“It’s pushed us all, especially some of the students who weren’t as comfortable singing,” she said. “It’s definitely been musically more challenging, but everyone is stepping up. Now that we’re a week away, the energy and excitement are kicking in.”
You will have four chances to see the play at the Harpeth High School auditorium Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m., Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
