When Pink Ladies, T-Birds and beauty school dropouts took the stage

In spring 2026, Boise State's theatre arts program staged the beloved musical "Grease" at the Morrison Center.

"I know two things about 'Grease,' said Professor Darrin Pufall Purdy, director of the production. "Everyone wants to be in it and everyone wants to see it."

The response to the production "was remarkable," Pufall Purdy said. Here are some of the reasons why:

A student-centered cast: The "Grease" appeal translated into nearly 70 auditions, open to both campus and the broader community. While the department typically relies on some community performers to fill roles, this production was almost entirely student-driven. "Our allegiance is first and foremost to students," Pufall Purdy said.

A standout senior class: An unusually large and accomplished group led the production, 14 graduating seniors in theatre arts, far above the program's typical numbers. They filled leadership roles across the production - onstage, in choreography, technical direction and assistant directing.

Design as a teaching tool: Pufall Purdy found opportunities for students to stretch their design skills. The iconic fantasy "Beauty School Dropout" sequence, for example, featured elaborate wigs sewn from polar fleece, sculpted, sewn, painted and sequinned. Pufall Purdy described the approach as "low-stakes, high-impact" - giving less experienced students the chance to learn foundational skills while contributing to visually striking moments.

Teamwork in the Boise State tradition: With a cast of 24, the production was large and movement-heavy. Pufall Purdy praised choreographer Emily Nash (who is also the department's business operations coordinator) and guest music director Cris O'Bryon, an adjunct professor of voice. "We operated as one entity, with equal say and equal needs in the room."

He also called out a core group of graduating seniors:

• Jordan Russell: projections designer from Salinas, California, who created original visual elements.
• Camille Wilcox: assistant choreographer (and fourth-generation Bronco) from Meridian, Idaho.
• Austin Reynolds: assistant technical director, helping translate designs into physical sets. Reynolds is from Nampa, Idaho.
• Neekey Habibi: assistant costume designer from Boise, who managed roughly 100 individual costume looks - from garments to accessories.

Breaking news: Sad to miss "Grease"? Don't despair. The department's next season will include a semiannual production of "A Christmas Carol," featuring a new script by Gordon Reinhardt, a professor of theatre arts at Boise State and original projected illustrations created in collaboration with faculty and students. The play will debut in the Peterson Theatre in fall 2026, with plans to expand to the Morrison Center in the future.

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