Krug and Matt Drees (choral director) helped put together FDSH’s 95th annual musical “Footloose” in April this year.

After receiving awards of recognition from the Iowa High School Music Theatre Awards program, the speech teacher was speechless.

“Our kids amaze me at how hard they work,” Krug said. “To make the speech teacher speechless is hard to do.

“They want to put forth their best work and are willing to put in the time to do it. They are learning life skills beyond this experience.”

—Photo courtesy of Megan Butrick
Aaron Amhof (left), Grace Casciato (middle) and Ryan Madden (right) earned awards for their roles in Fort Dodge’s "Footloose" musical.

The Iowa High School Music Theatre Awards program toted the Dodger cast with some top honors.

“To direct a musical at my alma mater was special,” Krug said. “There was a lot of work put into this and at times it was tough, but at the end it all came together.”

The Footloose cast garnered outstanding musical production as well as outstanding ensemble.

“The production part is a testament to everyone,” Krug said. “All of the parents that helped with costumes, Mr. (Brian) Robison in the pit, Brady O’Brien, who helped with the lights. The stage crew, everyone that was involved.

“It was just a smattering of people that helped this musical come together.”

—Photo courtesy of Megan Butrick
Mikeal Campbell and Reese Pederson act out a scene as their characters Ren and Ariel in Fort Dodge Senior High’s musical "Footloose."

Mikeal Campbell (Ren), Malaney Butrick (Rusty), Aaron Amhof (Chuck) and Grace Casciato (Vi Moore) earned outstanding performances in principle roles.

Ryan Madden (Shaw Moore), Reese Pederson (Ariel) and Michael Wagner (Willard) were named for special recognition for performance in a principle role for the musical that was held in the Fort Dodge Middle School.

After earning the outstanding musical production award, the Senior High cast has been invited to perform on the Civic Center stage at the Iowa High School Music Theatre Showcase performance on June 18.

“We had a vision of what we wanted and everyone came together to execute it,” Krug said. “They helped to a degree that allowed these awards to happen.”

In addition to this performance, Campbell, Butrick, Amhof and Casciato have been invited to participate in the Triple Threat Program, which brings together the best high school musical performers in the state to learn and perform together.

—Photo courtesy of Megan Butrick
Cast members dance during the final scene of "Footloose" at the Fort Dodge Middle School in April.

The Dodger crew brought to life the characters from the 1984 film. There were 22 main cast members and over 25 students in the chorus.

—Photo courtesy of Megan Butrick
Fort Dodge Senior High’s cast of "Footloose" and the entire production, earned outstanding musical production from the Iowa High School Music Theatre Awards program.

—Photo courtesy of Megan Butrick
Hope Miller (left), Grace Tolliver (center) and Malaney Butrick (right) sing during the production of "Footloose" at the Fort Dodge Middle School.

—Photo courtesy of Megan Butrick
Mikeal Campbell (front right) teaches Michael Wagner (front left) how to dance during "Footloose" put on in April by Fort Dodge Senior High.