{"id":27238,"date":"2025-05-09T09:58:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T16:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/?p=27238"},"modified":"2025-05-09T13:40:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T20:40:50","slug":"abba-solutely-fabulous-chris-rushing-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/abba-solutely-fabulous-chris-rushing-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"ABBA-solutely Fabulous: A\u00a0Mamma Mia!\u00a0Chat With HS Theatre Director Chris Rushing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chris Rushing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This is a follow-up to the previous post about How High School Musicals Create Connections and Fuel Creativity<\/a>. Chris Rushing<\/a>, the theatre director at Woodson High School<\/a> was kind enough to chat with me after I saw their production of Mamma Mia!<\/a><\/em>. Interview below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruby: <\/strong>The actors were really fantastic, and I noticed there is a range of experiences.  Are there some students who are new to the stage? How do you help the students who are? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris:<\/strong> The students at Woodson have a variety of backgrounds when it comes to acting and I try and provide opportunities to as many people as possible, regardless of their experience. When they are auditioning the skill I am most interested in is \u201cdirectability,\u201d i.e. how well do they take direction from me, when I give them notes on a new choice do they implement them, are they willing to \u201clook silly\u201d in order to land a big acting choice \u2013 then I cast the show based on who I think will help us get the best possible show on the stage in the time allowed. When students are new to acting I have a variety of tools\/activities from my time as an Education Director, actor, and professional director. Many of these tools come form different acting pedagogies \u2013 like I pull from Stanislavski’<\/a>s \u201cmagic if\u201d idea and movement from Anne Bogarts \u201cviewpoints\u201d<\/a> but those names don\u2019t mean anything to the performers, instead I try a variety of methods and approaches to see which one resonates with that students, as different ideas connect and land in different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo from Mamma Mia!<\/em> by Suz Redfearn, courtesy of Woodson High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ruby: <\/strong>Are there students who are \u201cbit by the acting bug\u201d just from taking drama class?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris:<\/strong> Yup! Every year I have some students join us who have never done theatre before but took an acting class. Sometimes it\u2019s even a Senior who has no experience. I love being surprised by these students and what they bring to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo from Mamma Mia!<\/em> by Suz Redfearn, courtesy of Woodson High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ruby: <\/strong>Is drama class something that students can take all four years at Woodson?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris: <\/strong>For sure, and I love it when they do! Students can take four acting levels or four tech\/design levels with Theatre Arts 1-4 or four Technical Theatre 1-4. For both of them Thea level 3 and 4 classes are honor classes, that come with additional responsibilities and a GPA bump. All students should consider taking Theatre because the \u201csoft skills<\/a>\u201d of communication, creative thinking, collaboration, non-linear connections, the ability to creatively problem solve, etc will never not be valuable. Hire a theatre kid and you hire someone who knows how to get things done under budget, on a deadline, under pressure<\/a>. All skills that will not be replaced by AI any time soon\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo from Mamma Mia!<\/em> by Suz Redfearn, courtesy of Woodson High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ruby: <\/strong>What would you recommend for students who are still in elementary or middle school, but inspired by musical theatre? Where could they start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris: <\/strong>All Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)<\/a> Middle Schools have a theatre program and\/or theatre club! That\u2019s the best place to start. FCPS also has a summer program called IFTA (elementary<\/a>, gr 6-11<\/a>) school) that offers some valuable teaching tools and most theatres in the area have an education program with classes and audition opportunities \u2013 Signature<\/a> is especially great \u2013 but community theatres and religious institutions also usually offer the chance to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo from Mamma Mia!<\/em> by Suz Redfearn, courtesy of Woodson High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ruby:<\/strong> Are there a lot of theatre students who want to pursue the performing arts after they graduate high school?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris:<\/strong> I believe there are a good amount. Many of my students tell me that they still do cabarets or audition after they graduate. But just important is their desire to attend theatre. Without audience members and those who foster the arts there is no future for Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo from Mamma Mia!<\/em> by Suz Redfearn, courtesy of Woodson High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ruby: <\/strong>Are there any former students you can name who are not working in showbiz?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris: <\/strong>This is my fourth year with the school, so that\u2019s a little tough for me, lol. I know that there are former Theatre Kids all throughout the professional world \u2013 from Ted Cruz, Ken Jennings, Chris Hayes, Justin Trudeau, and many athletes talk about how they did theatre in school and it helped them handle the pressure to perform in front of people.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo from Mamma Mia!<\/em> by Suz Redfearn, courtesy of Woodson High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ruby:<\/strong> What do you like most about directing high school theatre? What did you like best about Mamma Mia<\/em>! ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris: <\/strong>I mean, the students. It\u2019s the main reason I transitioned from professional theatre, I love teaching students. It makes me feel like I am making a real difference in the world. I remember teachers who impacted me and I want to try and be that for my students. I really love the themes in Mamma Mia!<\/a><\/em>, the idea that family \u2013 both those by blood and those you choose \u2013 are who is really important in our lives. As well as the power of joy. Joy cannot be overstated and I feel like it isn\u2019t always appreciated the way it should be!<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo from Mamma Mia!<\/em> by Suz Redfearn, courtesy of Woodson High School.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Learn more about Woodson High School\u2019s Drama Department<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Website:<\/strong> wtwdrama.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author: Ruby Hunt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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I am a huge fan of musical theatre. As a child, I loved \u201cThe Sound of Music<\/a>\u201d and any Disney animated musical<\/a>. In high school, I was member of the drama club. The first professional performance I saw was Stomp<\/a><\/em>. Since then, I’ve added Phantom of the Opera<\/em>, Titanic<\/em>, Les Miserables<\/em>, Miss Saigon<\/em>, Cats<\/em>, Wicked<\/em>, The Lion King<\/em>, The Book of Mormon<\/em>, Avenue Q<\/em>, Jersey Boys<\/em>, and & Juliet<\/em> to the list. I look forward to experiencing more musicals with my two girls!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Related Post:<\/strong> Inspiring Young Audiences: How High School Musicals Create Connections and Fuel Creativity<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gift ideas for the \u201cTheatre Kid”:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Acting<\/figure>
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Acting for Teens: Finding Your Voice, Playing the Part, and Shining on Stage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Musical Theater Card Game – Gift for Musical Theater Fans & Broadway Lovers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A Performer\u2019s Journal My Shows & Plays: Workbook for Actors, Dancers and Musical Theatre Performers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mind Of A Theater Kid Brain T-Shirt<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"theatre<\/figure>
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Straight Outta Rehearsal – Theater Acting T-Shirt<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Disclaimer: I am part of the Amazon Affiliate program and receive a small commission when you click and purchase items through my affiliate links.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is a follow-up to the previous post about How High School Musicals Create Connections and Fuel Creativity. Chris Rushing, the theatre director at Woodson High School was kind enough to chat with me after I saw their production of Mamma Mia!. Interview below: Ruby: The actors were really fantastic, and I noticed there is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27256,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"fullwidth-2.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2053,2041,906,2040],"tags":[1051,984,1946],"class_list":["post-27238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-events","category-news-announcements","category-shopping","tag-interview","tag-musical","tag-musicaltheatre","eq-blocks"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/rushing-feat.png?fit=1842%2C1296&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p46LgQ-75k","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27155,"url":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/inspiring-young-audiences-how-high-school-musicals-create-connections-and-fuel-creativity\/","url_meta":{"origin":27238,"position":0},"title":"Inspiring Young Audiences: How High School Musicals Create Connections and Fuel Creativity","author":"westsidemommy","date":"May 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In Fall 2023, I took my older daughter to New York to see her first Broadway musical, & Juliet. We both loved it, and she was hooked. It was nostalgic for me to hear pop hits from over 20 years ago, and delightful to experience them as a jukebox musical\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Entertainment"","block_context":{"text":"Entertainment","link":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/category\/entertainment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"people at theatre","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-photo-713149.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-photo-713149.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-photo-713149.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-photo-713149.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-photo-713149.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8514,"url":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/moms-night-out-at-hollywood-bowl\/","url_meta":{"origin":27238,"position":1},"title":"Moms night out at Hollywood Bowl","author":"westsidemommy","date":"August 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jonna Coleman (mom of 2 girls) (photo: Lisa, Jonna, Jenny, Heather) Last night three friends and I went to go see Mamma Mia at the Bowl. Honestly, I have to say it was a perfect night out without kids and husbands. Our friend Jenny got the tickets for us\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/category\/news-announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/feat_Hollywoodbowl_jonna.jpg?fit=759%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/feat_Hollywoodbowl_jonna.jpg?fit=759%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/feat_Hollywoodbowl_jonna.jpg?fit=759%2C360&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/feat_Hollywoodbowl_jonna.jpg?fit=759%2C360&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11681,"url":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/upstage-theater-summer-camp-experience\/","url_meta":{"origin":27238,"position":2},"title":"Upstage Theater Summer Camp Experience","author":"westsidemommy","date":"July 6, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"My daughter in the Upstage Theatre School's performance of Madagascar Juniorphoto by me (Ruby Hunt) This summer, my six-year old daughter participated in Upstage Theatre's Westside Summer Program. It's a three-week, 5 days\/week, 6 hour\/day camp that focuses on drama and musical theatre training, culminating with a stage performance. I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Posts"","block_context":{"text":"All Posts","link":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/category\/all-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/madagascar-end_watermarked.jpg?fit=829%2C499&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/madagascar-end_watermarked.jpg?fit=829%2C499&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/madagascar-end_watermarked.jpg?fit=829%2C499&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/madagascar-end_watermarked.jpg?fit=829%2C499&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11237,"url":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/summer-camp-search\/","url_meta":{"origin":27238,"position":3},"title":"Summer Camp Search","author":"westsidemommy","date":"March 18, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"February and March are the months to attend summer camp fairs. I've already attended two, and am slowly filling my child's summer schedule with fun activities. The camp fairs were a little overwhelming for me, as a parent of a kindergartener. 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I didn't know about this theatre until I was invited to attend and review this play (through USFamilyGuide.com) The Cat in the Hat is part of the Y.E.S. (Youth\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/category\/news-announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/feat-catinthehat.jpg?fit=470%2C246&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3448,"url":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/the-cat-in-the-hat-play-in-santa-monica\/","url_meta":{"origin":27238,"position":5},"title":"The Cat in the Hat play in Santa Monica","author":"westsidemommy","date":"July 14, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat When: July 11 - July 26,\u00a0Saturdays and Sundays at 11am Based on the book by Dr. Seuss Play Originally Produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain Adapted and Originally Directed by Katie Mitchell Directed by Joseph Moretti Produced by Christine Brewer and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/category\/news-announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/catinthehat.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/catinthehat.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/catinthehat.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27238"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27284,"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27238\/revisions\/27284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westsidemommy.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}