Bright Star Work Free by Nicholas Penton

Strafford Clever Forsyth Fair Grove

All Present

A mid-lakes conference production

Music , book , and Story

By Steve Martin

Music , Lyrics , and Story

By Edie Brickell

BillyCane

played by Calvin Hudak

The Bright Star Express

Name

CalvinHudak

Clever School

Grade Senior

Actor Bio

Calvinisaveryenergeticperson,andbetweenhisschoollifeand hisworklife,Heenjoysacting.Inmiddleschoolhe’sdonesome peer-madeplays.Asafreshman,hewasinaplethoraof charactersinsomerecordedoneacts,andhissophomoreyear, hewasthekinginOnceUponaMattress.Heplanson continuinghisactingcareerthroughoutcollege.

The Bright Star Express

Name AllieRice

School ???????

Grade ?????

Actor Bio

AliceMurphyishopelesslyinlovewithsmalltown heartthrobJimmyRay,themayor’sson.Althoughtheir lovewaspure,itfallsvictimtotheinterferenceof ambitiousparents,andtheirinfantsoniswhiskedaway beforetheirhappyendingcouldeverbegin.Morethantwo decadeslater,AliceisthesuccessfuleditorofTheAsheville SouthernJournal,andmeetsapromisingyoungwriter namedBilly.

played by Allie Rice

JimmyRayDobbs

played by Luke Engal

The Bright Star Express

Name

LukeEngal

FairGrove School

Grade Junior

Actor Bio

The Bright Star Express

Name MiguelGramley

School Strafford

Grade ?????

Actor Bio

MayorJosiahDobbs

played by Miguel gramley

MargoCrawford

played by Dani Nunn

The Bright Star Express

Name

???????

Grade ?????

Actor Bio

School ??????

The Bright Star Express

Name HadisonWingo

School FairGrove

Grade Senior

Actor Bio

HadisonisfromFairGroveHighSchooland willbeasenior.Shehasbeeninvolvedin multipleshowswithinFairGrove’stheater program.Sheisalsoinvolvedwithother extracurricularactivitiesatherschool.

played by Hadison

Wingo played by Steven Rice

The Bright Star Express

Name

StevenRice

School

Forsyth

Grade Senior

Actor Bio

Stevenisanaspiringactor,whohasworkedonmany projectssuchasBrightStar,TheMusicalComedy Murdersof1940,andaYearwithFrogandToad.Heplans ongoingtocollegeforactingandforpsychology.He’dlike tothankmymomforbirthingmeandmyfriendsfor believinginme.

The Bright Star Express

Name CalebOsbourne

School Strafford

Grade ????

Actor Bio

DaddyCaneand Dr.Norquist

played by Caleb Osbourne

????????????????

played by

The Bright Star Express

Name

JoslynWells

Strafford School

Grade ?????

Actor Bio

JoslynishonoredtobeparticipatingintheMLC productionofBrightStar!Shehasbeenseeninalarge varietyofproductionsatStraffordandSpringfieldLittle Theater,herfavoriterolebeing“Audrey”inLittleShopof Horrors.TheaterhasbeenamassivepartofJoslyn’slife sinceshecouldwalk,andsheisverygratefulforhowmuch shehaslearnedfromherteachersandpeersduringBright Star!

Joslyn Wells

The Bright Star Express

Name

TrytenCristoffer

School Clever

Grade ?????

Actor Bio

DaryllAmes

played by Tryten Cristoffer

StanfordAnes

played by Mylo Goodin

The Bright Star Express

Name

MyloGoodin

Clever School

Grade Sophomore

Actor Bio

MyloGoodinisasophomoreatCleverHighSchool,andisa memberoftheCleverHighITS,ColorandWinterGuard, andband.Attherevealofthismusical,Mylohateditand didn’twanttoaudition.Aftertakingahardlistentothe soundtrack,theyfellinlove.TheyhavealsoplayedThomas PutnaminTheCrucible,andLonestarintheoneact

PrincessPartySmackdown(PPS).Mylo’sfavoritetheater

memorieswerehavingatantrumonstageduringPPS.

The Bright Star Express

Name MadelineSwope

School Clever

Grade Sophomore

Actor Bio

Madelineisa15-year-oldsophomoreatCleverHighSchool. Shehaslovedtheaterformanyyearsandisthrilledtobein thisshow.Someofherhobbiesincludesinging,acting, dancing,andbaking.Madelineisinvolvedinthetheaterand choirprogramsatherschool,aswellasSpringfieldLittle Theatre’sY.E.STroupe.SheplaystheroleofFlorence,as wellasunderstudiesforMargo,andhopesthateveryonegets toenjoythisshowasmuchasshedoes!

Florence

Madeline Swope played by

played by Hadley Dillard

The Bright Star Express

Name

HadleyDillard

Clever School

Grade Freshman

Actor Bio

HadleyDillardisafreshmanatCleverHighschool.Hadleyis currentlyplayingTennis,intheatreandvolunteeringforSpecial Olympicsthisyear.HadleyisinthemusicalBrightStar,andhas beenintwoothertheatricalproductionssince7thgrade.Inthe7th grade,HadleystarredasAveryin‘TheLeastWatchedMostTalked AboutTalkShowinHistory’,SheplayedtheBigBadWolfand Corneliain‘ChannelingGrimm’,andsheiscurrentlyplayingEdna in‘BrightStar’.Hadleyenjoyswritingandsinginginherfreetime, andanythingartistic.

The Bright Star Express

Name OliverBradley

School Strafford Max Actor Bio

Grade ?????

played by Oliver Bradley

Dr.Norquist

played by Jane Smith

The Bright Star Express

Name

??????

School

???????

Grade ?????

Actor Bio

The Engineers

Lighting Design

Emily Rivere is a 9th grade student at Forsyth High School. She has been doing theatre since third grade and moved to the tech side in 6th. Emily enjoying theatre, ROTC, and sewing. Some of Emily's favorite projects includeGodspell(lighting assistant),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof 1940(lighting designer), Emma!TheMusical(sound technician), and SchoolHouseRock!Live!Jr(stage manager). Emily has had a great time working with all different school to work to together on this show!

Charlie is a Senior at Fair Grove High School. He has taken part in four shows at FG including running spotlight forShrek,BeautyandtheBeast, AtRisk!and heading the lights for Matilda. His other activities include playing golf and Scholar Bowl.

BenisaseniorfromStraffordHighSchool.Heisheadofthe Straffordlightingdepartment.Heisamemberofband,cross country,robotics,EpsilonBeta,mathteam,andcheerleading.His favoritedrinkiscoffeeandgirlsscarehim.

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

MaxwellJennings(AKAMax)isastudentatCleverwhobeganasanactor inhis9thgradeyear.Afterperforminginthespringofhis10thgrade year,hedecidedtotryouttechinthecomingmusical,andfoundhimself wonderingaboutwhichpositionhewouldenduptaking.Evenduringthe performance,hestillisn'tsurewhathisjobis.

Lighting Master

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

Emily Rivere Charlie Harp Spotlight Ben Alford Emily Rivere Lighting Master Maxwell Jennings Lighting Assitant Emily Rivere Lighting Design

Taylor is a Sophomore at Strafford high school. This is her third production that she has been a part of. She helps behind stage with costumes, props, cues, and any questions that the cast have.

The Engineers

Emily Rivere

Lighting Design

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

Emily Rivere

Lighting Design

AbigailPotterhasbeeninvolvedintheatreforthreeyears,buthasbeen involvedincreativeartssinceage5throughartandmusic.Shebecame interestedinmusicalproductionswhenfirsttakentoMammaMiaatage two.SinceMammaMia,Abigailhasbeentomanydifferentproductionsas wellasworkinginhertheatredepartmentatStraffordasacostumer,later becomingtheheadofherdepartment.

Head of Costumes

Emily Rivere

Lighting Design

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

Charlie Harp Spotlight Abigail Potter Taylor Richardson Crew

Lighting Design

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

Emily Rivere Lighting Design Emily Rivere Lighting Design Emily Rivere Lighting Design Charlie Harp Spotlight Emily Rivere Emily Rivere

Emily Rivere

Lighting Design

Emily Rivere is a 9th grade student at Forsyth High School. She has been doing theatre since third grade and moved to the tech side in 6th. Emily enjoying theatre, ROTC, and sewing. Some of Emily's favorite projects includeGodspell(lighting assistant), TheMusicalComedyMurdersof 1940(lighting designer), Emma!TheMusical(sound technician), and SchoolHouseRock!Live!Jr(stage manager). Emily has had a great time working with all different school to work to together on this show!

Emily Rivere

Lighting Design

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

Charlie Harp Spotlight

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

Emily Rivere

Lighting Design

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

Emily Rivere

Lighting Design

Emily Rivere Lighting Design

EmilyRivereisa9thgradestudentatForsythHighSchool.Shehasbeen doingtheatresincethirdgradeandmovedtothetechsidein6th.Emily enjoyingtheatre,ROTC,andsewing.SomeofEmily'sfavoriteprojects includeGodspell(lightingassist),TheMusicalComedyMurdersof1940 (lightingdesigner),Emma!TheMusical(soundtechnician),andSchool HouseRock!Live!Jr(stagemanager).Emilyhashadagreattime workingwithalldifferentschooltoworktotogetheronthisshow!

CreativeDirector

Alice Murphy is hopelessly in love with small town heartthrob Jimmy Ray, the mayor’s son. Although their love was pure, it falls victim to the interference of ambitious parents, and their infant son is whisked away before their happy ending could ever begin. More than two decades later, Alice is the successful editor of The Asheville Southern Journal, and meets a promising young writer named Billy.

Director

Erin Scheibe is the former theatre director at Clever High School. Currently, she serves as assistant principal at Glendale High School in Springfield. Outside of educational theatre, Erin has performed in several productions in the Springfield area. She has an MA in Theatre from Oklahoma State, and has taught as an adjunct professor at Evangel University. Erin is the proud mother of Izzy and Grayden. She is grateful to her husband, Jake for holding down the home front while she takes part in one final show.

Lord Scott Walker Technical Director

It’s unclear when Lord Walker gained his royal title, but he has a plethora of technical directing experience at Clever High School and sometimes unexpectedly graces the stage with his acting. He is also an accomplished saxophonist, exemplary Quizbowl coach, and versatile video gamer.

When not toiling at those hobbies, he can be found teaching writing to students at Clever High School. He would like to thank his dog Lucy and wife Abbi for dealing with his extended absences to work on Bright Star.

Mrs. Katherine Gibbs Mrs. Erin Scheibe Assistant

AliceMurphyishopelesslyinlovewith smalltownheartthrobJimmyRay, themayor’sson.Althoughtheirlove waspure,itfallsvictimtothe interferenceofambitiousparents,and theirinfantsoniswhiskedawaybefore theirhappyendingcouldeverbegin. Morethantwodecadeslater,Aliceis thesuccessfuleditorofTheAsheville SouthernJournal,andmeetsa promisingyoungwriternamedBilly.

schumacherMrs. Leroy Barker Schumacher

Mr. Nicholas Penton has been teaching at Forsyth High School for 5 years. On top of teaching English III and Theater, he also directs the high school's Fall Play. His past shows past include Kong's Night Out, Almost Maine, and most recently a successful rendition of The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s. He loves all of the joy that theater brings his students and he is excited to direct more shows in the future. He would like to thank his beautiful wife, Breeana, for putting up with his long nights and grumpy demeanor after every rehearsal.

Morethantwodecadeslater,Aliceis

thesuccessfuleditorofTheAsheville SouthernJournal,andmeetsa promisingyoungwriternamedBilly.

Stephanie Schumacher teaches theatre at Clever High School. Ms. Schumacher has had experience in acting, directing, and choreographing. She performed in Oklahoma as Ado Annie at RBCT, directed Charlotte’s Web at Drury, and choreographed Once Upon A Mattress at MHS. In her free time Ms. Schumacher enjoys playing the ukulele, crocheting, and following Blues hockey. She would like to thank her family for their constant support and to the teachers, students, and families who gave her the opportunity to be a part of Bright Star.

Ms. Stephanie Choreographer Mr. Leroy Barker Technical Director Mrs. Audra Harmon Music Director Mr. Nicholas Penton Media Director

The true story behind the show

“The Iron Mountain Baby” is a true story of a five-day-old baby who fell approximately 50 feet from a train into Big River in Irondale Missouri. The baby was found by 72-year-old Civil War veteran, William Helms. William and his wife nursed the baby back to health and gave him a proper name, William Moses Gould Helms. The story of this baby spread through Missouri and gave cause to many women claiming to be his birth mother. Not knowing who to believe or trust, the Helms’ adopted baby William as their

From that point on, he grew up and lived in Missouri for most of his life. After having a career as a printer, marrying and having a son, William moved to and died in Texas. It seems only meant to be that the inspiration behind Martin and Brickell’s first Broadway musical would die in the same state that both of the

This legend of William Moses Gould Helms followed him throughout most of his life, though he was not particularly a fan of his fame. The story inspired a 1902 folk song titled, “The Ballad of the Iron Mountain Baby” in addition to Martin and Brickell’s 2013 song, “Sarah J ane and the Iron Mountain Baby”.

Again, while BRIGHT STAR is not an exact retelling of the legend, it does use the story as a major springboard for their show. It takes the tragic events of the legend and asks “What if?” What results is the beautiful story that has everything musical theatre buffs love: extraordinary music, heartbreak, tragedy, a rollercoaster of emotions and a happy ending that proves there will always be a “bright star” of light to shine through the darkness.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 17, 1902, Page 11. via Newspapers.com

(https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-postdispatch-iron-mountain-ba/22799581/ : accessed June 19, 2023), clip page for Iron mountain baby by user outoforder266

A Family Business Phone: 417-777-7777 Pricing: Starting at $1! Open 24/7 ’ ! ! Bright Star Florist Information Goes Here More Here! And even more here! 1127 E Battlefield Rd, Springfield, MO 65807 Luxury Bowling Laser Tag Game Room Restaurant Want your ad here? We can have your personalized ad in our program by the start of our next show! Pricing below! Find a conductor for more info! Luxury Class: $750 – Full-Page Ad in Our Program, Announced at Each Show, 5 Complimentary Tickets First Class: $ Large Ad in our Program, 2 Complimentary Tickets Coach: $250 Medium Ad in our Program Patron: $100 – Small Ad

A Family Business Phone: 417-777-7777 Pricing: Starting at $1! Open 24/7 Bright Star Police Force Don’t break the law or we’ll break your legs. Great American Outdoor Store ® 1 Bass Pro Drive, Springfield Missouri, 65807

We would like to extend our gratitude to you for coming out and supporting our production. It has been an absolute joy putting this show together and it’s all worth it because of people like you. The path leading to this show has been one of passion, hard work, and taking a risk on op portunities that were both scary and exciting. We hope that this show is one you’ll walk away from wanting to see again and again, as it’s one we’ll miss dearly. Thank you for supporting the arts and we hope our tracks cross paths again someday!

Bright Star School Edition is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036 www.theatrical rights .com BRIGHT STAR School Edition Inspired By A True Story

Produced by Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson Zebulon LLC, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Len Blavatnik, James L. Nederlander, Carson & Joseph Gleberman, Balboa Park Productions The Shubert Organization, Jamie deRoy/Catherine

Adler/Cricket Jiranek In Association With Rodger Hess, A.C. Orange International, Broadway Across America, Sally Jacobs & Warren Baker Diana DiMenna, Exeter Capital, Agnes Gund, True Love Productions And The Old Globe,

The Mid Lakes Production Team

https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/train-bridge Train Tracks By BigHandInSky, https://www.deviantart.com/bighandinsky/art/Train-Tracks-514867605

https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/train

Commissioners official railway map of Missouri. Completed to January 1st 1888. Copyright 1887 by R. T. Higgins.

Irondale, Missouri, 1. 003277-1.jpg., The State Historical Society of Missouri, Photograph Collection.

Irondale, Missouri, 2. 003277-2.jpg., The State Historical Society of Missouri, Photograph Collection. All other artwork in this booklet is either Public Domain or granted permissions by The Creative Commons.

Attributions