Catch a Glimpse: Hadestown
The ICON Student Experience
Acting
Under Kathryn Van Meter’s professional direction, ICON students:
- did intensive character work involving motivation, agency, discovery, and technique
- explored relevant dramaturgy and related it to individual characters and themes
- dissected every song, scene, and line of text for each principal character
- explored their personal connections to the script and its underlying mythology
- experienced the intimacy and immersion of arena theatre with audience members incorporated on stage.
Music
Under the combined instruction of vocal and instrumental directors, ICON students tackled a challenging score, libretto, and rehearsal schedule that:
- tested and grew their musical and vocal limits, both individually and as an ensemble
- required fast study and quick adaptation through intensive full-cast music rehearsals intermixed with smaller group and solo coaching
- required and received an elevated standard of commitment and work ethic from every member of the cast
- offered students the empowerment and respect of adult professionals
- delivered a top-notch, professional summer musical theater experience on par with any conservatory program in the country.
Choreography
Award-winning choreographer and ICON founder Leslie Nolte shaped the expressive movement and choreography to convey the show’s themes and artistic vision. The students:
- learned the importance of impetus and intention in directing their movement onstage
- studied character, story, and intention deeply to motivate learning and adaptation
- discovered how movement and stage positioning impact status and power
- explored WHY we move when we move and how stillness can be our most powerful tool
- transformed from pedestrian movers to trained dancers over the course of a concentrated rehearsal schedule
- contributed improvisational-based choreography, incorporating individual impulse and interpretation into the choreographic vision.
Production
ICON students led production work and performance run crew, garnering them valuable production experience as they:
- constructed, tested, and enhanced moving scenery components for a dynamic, audience-immersive set
- ran set construction crews, employed detailed scenic painting techniques, and troubleshot with a professional A2 audio engineer
- participated in critical discussions about the show’s artistic concept, design imagery, and realized vision through scenery, lighting, and sound
- engaged with a complex set designed for a fully immersive, in-the-round, blackbox theatre experience
- produced the largest, most intricate show ever performed in The James Theater.
- gained an invaluable “Summer Stock Theater” experience, typically available only to adults.
Show Facts
Some notable facts about our Hadestown production:
- 6 sold-out shows
- 21 student artists in the company, 3 student musicians accompanying
- Creative team (director, musical director, production manager, choreographer) composed entirely of working professionals
- Produced entirely by financial support from the community
- Director Kathryn Van Meter (of Netflix series 13 Reasons Why) guides young artists to find their voices through transformative performance. She is an award-winning director, choreographer, actor, and educator with considerable credits across theatre, film, and television.
Accolades
“I can’t stop thinking about HADESTOWN - one of the most visceral experiences I’ve ever had in the theatre. Exciting staging, powerful choreography, captivating performances… these actors owned every inch of the stage.”
— Jody Hovland
Co-founder Riverside Theatre
"Our teen relished the experience of participating in ICON’s Hadestown production! The rehearsal schedule was deft, immersive and rigorous, giving him an elevated theatrical experience and opportunity to explore his character’s arc and fully inhabit the role. The show was stunning!"
— Maeve Clarke, parent of Brody/Hades
“The best high school musical I've ever seen. Incredibly well-executed, beautiful, emotional performances, and wonderful staging. I can't believe this was a high school show.”
— Patrick Du Laney
Actor, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Broadway production