Jordan Theatre Prepares for 'Water for Elephants'

Every year, the Jordan Theatre department puts on a musical. This year holds unique significance because Jordan is piloting the musical Water for Elephants. Piloting is when a program receives the first rights to a show and helps to refine the production before it is available for public use. Jordan is the first theater off Broadway to put on Water for Elephants and is working with Broadway Licensing and PigPen Theatre Co. to adapt the musical for a high school stage.

Director Olivia Bellido pit director Carrie Andrews, and some of the cast and crew of Jordan’s production with PigPen Theatre Company at the International Thespian Festival earlier this summer (photo from @w4e_partnership_jhs Instagram)

During the week of August 4, rehearsal for the production started. Water for Elephants tells the story of Jacob Jankowski, who leaves his life and dream behind after a tragic accident to join a traveling circus. Due to the circus aspect of the show, the cast practiced lifts and stunts in rehearsal. They also worked through some of the music and learned how to adapt it for a high school cast. Tech theatre began work with a puppet expert to create the intricate, moving circus animal puppets the show requires. A pilot is hard work, so be sure to support your fellow falcons and come see the show November 13-15 and 20-22!