AMENIA — Webutuck's drama program is returning for the second year with a production of "Back to the '80s."
A cast consisting of mostly middle schoolers and one freshman will debut the throwback comedy in Webutuck's auditorium at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. Additional performances will follow at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.
"Back to the '80s" is a nostalgic comedy written by Dean O'Carroll following sixteen-year-old Mary Fitzfry, who gets transported back in time to 1985 when a time machine malfunctions — echoing the plot of 1985 blockbuster "Back to the Future."
Kyra Whalen, left, and Mariah Bradley show their best impressions of elderly women in their costumes for "Back to the '80s," during dress rehearsal on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Webutuck High SchoolPhoto by Nathan Miller
What follows is a reference-filled jaunt through '80s pop culture as the teen, played by Webutuck student Fiona Crow, tries to repair the time machine and return to the present day without doing anything that could change the future.
At dress rehearsal on Saturday, Feb. 21, performers buzzed with excitement as they donned their neon-splashed costumes and high-top sneakers. Some of the students had been preparing for the performance by taking in '80s movies and media.
"We watched 'Big' last night," Webutuck freshman Nolan Howard said at dress rehearsal, adding that he thought the 1988 Tom Hanks feature was a good movie.
Webutuck music and chorus teacher Kaylee Kelsey leads the production, marking her second year as the school play's director and producer. She said Webutuck hadn't had a school play in years before she rebooted the program last year.
She said the timing of the program — with rehearsals starting in late September and the performance in the first week of March — created challenges in getting high school students involved.
Webutuck music and chorus teacher Kaylee Kelsey, right, ties a black tie on Liam Diaz to complete his costume for "Back to the '80s" during dress rehearsal on Saturday, Feb. 21. Diaz is playing Jeff, the stereotypical preppy bully that stands as the main antagonist in the play, a role he said he's drawn to because of the challenges associated with being the bad guy.Photo by Nathan Miller
"It's a winter play, it's not really a spring play," Kelsey said, adding that the winter sports season, academic responsibilities and a lack of familiarity with performance contribute to the lower numbers among high school students.
So Kelsey, like last year, brought middle school students into the fold. She said at least 10 performers returned after last year's production of "Clue," bringing along friends and other inspired classmates to build a cast of 26 for this year's production.
The younger cast has its own challenges, however. "It is a bit more of a scramble," Kelsey said, but the middle school students make up for a lack of organization with excitement.
Karina Powers teaches traditional dances from Mexico in Millbrook.
Powers received a master’s degree in Mexican folklore dance from Escuela de la Danza in Baja California, Mexico. Since moving to the United States, she has built a career in performance and teaching. She has not only served as a dance director and performed as a professional vernacular music singer in California, but she has also worked towards her Doctorate, which she will receive in October.
As the founder of her company, Powers works tirelessly to make sure her dancers have everything they need, including costumes, proper flooring, music and a space to practice. Her husband built wooden panels, called tarimas, for students to dance on with their folklórico shoes. Millbrook Mayor Peter F. Doro allows Powers and her group to practice in Millbrook Hall, where she brings the tarimas to every practice along with costumes and proper footwear.
Powers dreams of owning her own studio where she can practice with her group, offer more classes, store costumes and create a space for her dancers to do their hair and makeup before performances. She said she hopes people learn about her classes so her company can grow and she can teach dances from a wider range of Mexican states while having greater access to traditional dress.
As a single mother and professor, Powers’ mother, Carmen Méndez, put her children in dance classes and signed them up for track and field, always keeping them goal- and career-oriented. She helped Powers with her company by creating all of the costumes her dancers wear in their performances. After her mother’s death in 2021, Powers said she has dedicated herself to carrying forward the passion, work ethic and love of dance her mother instilled in her.
“I miss her terribly, and I’m here because of her,” Powers said. “That’s why I want to do this, because of her. She gave me a lot, with the costumes, with her support. I do it for my mom.”
Karina Powers and her students practice in Millbrook Hall.Lucia Iandolo
Dancers in Powers’ group are dedicated to learning the art of dance from different states in Mexico on Tuesday and Friday nights at Millbrook Hall. They travel from many different places in New York to participate, with some dancers traveling more than an hour to make it to rehearsal each week.
“It’s a lot of work, but they learn it. I believe they love it, and it’s a way to come together, to do something good, to do something healthy, and to have people around you who appreciate this kind of art,“ Powers said.
Powers has studied with professor Eloy Jiménez Figueroa since childhood and said his mentorship inspired her to become the teacher she is today. She added that while she may not be the best teacher, she learned from the best.
While living in California, Powers taught elementary, high school and college students, as well as adults. She was recruited to teach traditional Mexican folkloric dance because of the region’s large Mexican community. Today, she encourages people of all backgrounds to explore the rich traditions of Mexican dance.
“This type of dance is not only for people from Mexico,” Powers said. “This is an art and the arts unite nations.”
Powers hopes to continue sharing that art in Millbrook and one day teach in the Millbrook Central School District. Powers and her group will perform at the Millbrook Library on Nov. 21, presenting traditional Mexican dances and inviting audience members to participate.
As a professor, dancer and singer, Powers stays grounded by believing in something greater than herself. She says that praying and putting herself in the hands of God has helped anchor her. She hopes to teach and dance for as long as her body allows.
“My mom, for me, is an angel. I put myself in her hands, and I have faith,” Powers said. “I have faith that God, or something good, is going to be there for the group and for myself.”
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