ABOVE: Fairmont High School students on stage Thursday evening rehearsing this year’s fall musical, “Grease.” The show will open next week.

FAIRMONT – Set to be one of the largest casts ever for Fairmont High School, over 130 students are participating in this year’s fall musical, “Grease.”

Co-Director Sarah Gudahl said it took two weeks just to hammer out the casting. Usually, they alternate between a classic and a modern. While they did a classic in “Wizard of Oz” last year, Gudahl said they decided to do a second classic this year.

“We look at who we have coming back from senior class, what talents they have, who they are as people, and then we try to find shows that fit our cast,” she said. ” “Grease” was an obvious choice as the right one for the kids we have.”

Initially 151 students auditioned, and a role was planned for each of them. Though the directors work diligently to make the rehearsal schedule fit for everyone, Gudahl said 132 made it to this point after starting Sept. 8.

While not completed, the stage is set to look like a giant jukebox, with stairs on both sides and the pit orchestra on the jukebox itself. Gudahl said the design is a testament to hardworking builders Mary, Jay, and Tamari Schmidt, and James and Andrea Miller.

“They’re dreamers and doers,” Gudahl said. “When I say something crazy like, ‘Can we put a giant jukebox on stage?’ and then laugh like it was a joke, they say, ‘Hold my tape measurer,’ and they make it happen.”

It also helps to have a new lighting system. Showcasing its capabilities is something Gudahl said they also wanted to focus on when designing the show. When it comes to the show itself, she said she is looking to strike a balance.

“Between them portraying iconic characters in a way that audiences who are familiar with the show will say, ‘that’s Danny Zuko, that’s Rizzo,'” Gudahl said. “Also then to bring some life and personality from these younger kids who are putting their personality into the characters, that’s been a delight for me this year.”

Since Gudahl started 12 years ago, the cast size has grown immensely from their first production which had around 30 kids. She said a large part of that growth has been the mentorship of the older students.

“When they take care of the people who are underneath them and say, ‘This is a product that we make, we’re proud of it. We have a lot of fun here,'” Gudahl said. “They take care of the next group and they then learn from that to take care of the next [and so on]. They have a reputation for making this a place where everyone belongs.”

One person who can attest to this virtue is senior crew member Cadence Montgomery.

“Everyone’s supportive and friendly,” she said. “I’ve loved it.”

She’s also worked on the pit orchestra. Between that, working on the crew, and interacting with her fellow cast and crew, she said she has taken a lot away from her time in the plays.

“Be expressive and have fun, of course,” Montgomery said. “I learned to play music in the pit, how to make playing easier and learn faster.”

After a senior citizen matinee at 12: 30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the shows will be at 7 o.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If football has continued success, they will have a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday instead due to scheduling conflicts. It will be $7 at the door, $5 for senior citizens, free for students and included in sporting and cardinal passes.