PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: The Jesus of Suburbia Goes to School! Behind the Scenes at Shenandoah's College Premiere of American IdiotStudents at Shenandoah Conservatory are currently rocking out in the first-ever college production of Green Day's American Idiot. Cast member Jon Graham, who plays Will, documented the rehearsal process right up to opening night!
By
Matthew Blank
September 30, 2014
Being in American Idiot has been one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life," says Graham. "I got the opportunity to put many of my skills to the test including, but not limited to, acting, singing, photography and videography. It has been a joy to work with everyone to create such an exciting story. I wish the show could run longer than just two weekends, but I know that this show and bonds that have formed from it will last a lifetime. Come see us if possible because you've only got three days left!"
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: The Jesus of Suburbia Goes to School! Behind the Scenes at Shenandoah's College Premiere of American Idiot
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: The Jesus of Suburbia Goes to School! Behind the Scenes at Shenandoah's College Premiere of American Idiot
Students at Shenandoah Conservatory are currently rocking out in the first-ever college production of Green Day's American Idiot. Cast member Jon Graham, who plays Will, documented the rehearsal process right up to opening night!
73 PHOTOS
Cast learning movements for opening number
Jon Graham Photography
First dance night. Will, Tunny and Johnny on the couch
Jon Graham Photography
EXPLOSION!
Jon Graham Photography
The ladies learning "Letterbomb"
Jon Graham Photography
Jon Graham (Will) and Jonathan Flom on the bus to NYC to film scenes.
Jon Graham Photography
Connor, Jon and Mike filming in the subway.
Jon Graham Photography
Dinner and nap break at 4 AM in NYC
Jon Graham Photography
Jon Graham (Will) at the St. James theatre
Jon Graham Photography
Jon and Connor hanging out during time-lapse recording
Jon Graham Photography
Ran into a lady with a bag on her head at Union Station
Jon Graham Photography
Dr. Albert the musical director showing us his decrescendo and crescendo
Jon Graham Photography
Rafael, Brittany, Tess and Jon hanging out during blocking rehearsal
Jon Graham Photography
The director's table.
Jon Graham Photography
Liz (assistant director) going over blocking with Tom Cannan
Jon Graham Photography
Running "Letterbomb"
Jon Graham Photography
Taylor Bloom getting comfortable in Tunny's bed
Jon Graham Photography
Jon Graham joining him
Jon Graham Photography
Dr. Albert's view
Jon Graham Photography
Melissa Cross at work
Jon Graham Photography
Jon Graham and Melissa Cross
Jon Graham Photography
Brittany Irish rocking out with Melissa Cross
Jon Graham Photography
Matt Edwards (vocal coach) and Connor jamming out in a Jon Graham selfie
Jon Graham Photography
First onstage run!
Jon Graham Photography
Jon, Tess (Heather) and Jessica hanging out in the audience
Jon Graham Photography
Couch life
Jon Graham Photography
Will and Heather
Jon Graham Photography
Rehearsal lifeblood
Jon Graham Photography
Bryce Wagner and Frankie Ramirez ready to rock
Jon Graham Photography
Sitzprobe
Jon Graham Photography
My very own chair. Wooo sitzprobe!
Jon Graham Photography
That mic check life
Jon Graham Photography
Got caught
Jon Graham Photography
She's right behind me, isn't she?
Jon Graham Photography
Lara (Whatshername) being studious
Jon Graham Photography
See what I have to put up with?
Jon Graham Photography
Music notes
Jon Graham Photography
"Favorite Son" stage rehearsal
Jon Graham Photography
Home
Jon Graham Photography
Quick refresher before going on
Jon Graham Photography
The "Letterbomb" ladies on the stage
Jon Graham Photography
"Favorite Son" dance notes
Jon Graham Photography
Does that straw taste good?
Jon Graham Photography
Stevie Bovo (St. Jimmy) waiting for mic check
Jon Graham Photography
Mic check night! Yay!
Jon Graham Photography
Kelsee Sweigard, Kali Haines and Jessica Rae Foulds working out stuff
Jon Graham Photography
When times are good for Will and Heather
Jon Graham Photography
"Holiday" from the wings during 10 out of 12
Jon Graham Photography
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" during 10 out of 12
Jon Graham Photography
St. Jimmy's domestic abuse
Jon Graham Photography
10 out of 12 dinner break, mm Chinese
Jon Graham Photography
Erin Puskar and Hilary Trumbauer during 10 out of 12
Jon Graham Photography
NOTES!
Jon Graham Photography
Moving into the dressing room
Jon Graham Photography
First costume run notes
Jon Graham Photography
Kelcee, Patrick Clealand Rosé, and Nick Lenz preparing for notes
The cast features Mike Bamford (Johnny), Connor Alexander (Tunny), Jon Graham (Will), Lara Treacy (Whatsername), Tess Marshall (Heather), Lauren Khalfayan (Extraordinary Girl) and Stevie Bovo (St. Jimmy) with Erik Poger Abrahamsen, Taylor Bloom, Alex Boyd, Tom Cannan, Christian Favier, Jessica Rae Foulds, Jessica Frenkel, Kali Haines, Brittany Irish, Nick Lenz, Jessica Lynch, Rafael Martinez-Salgado, Nick Morgan, Erin Puskar, Emily Rafala, Frankie Ramirez, Patrick Clealand Rosé, Spencer Streno, Kelsee Sweigard, Hilary Trumbauer and Bryce Wagner. American Idiot, which won the Grammy as Best Musical Show Album, features the music of Green Day with lyrics by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The show won 2010 Tony Awards for its scenic and lighting design by Christine Jones and Kevin Adams, respectively.
The production is directed by Jonathan Flom and choreographed by Tiffanie Carson. Tom Albert serves as musical director.
The creative team also includes scenic design by Bill Pierson; costume design by Tanner Pippert; lighting design by Mac Bozman, Greg Iannarelli and Chris Mudie; sound design by Harold Post and Golder O'Neill and projection design by Alec Sparks, Jon Graham and Jonathan Flom.
The rock musical tells the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post-9/11 world. The score includes all music from Green Day's 2004 album "American Idiot," plus additional numbers from Green Day's Grammy Award-winning 2009 release "21st Century Breakdown" (including "21 Guns" and an unreleased love song, "When It's Time").