St. Joseph students direct 'SpongeBob Musical' at Mary Queen of Apostles

St. Joseph High School senior Donovan Polito envisions a career on the Great White Way, singing and dancing his way across Broadway stages.

He hopes to give younger students the same ability to dream.

Polito, 17, and classmate Kylie Krzewinski, 17, have stepped in for the second year to direct the fall musical at Mary Queen of Apostles in New Kensington.

Without their efforts, the elementary students would have to forgo the chance to strut their stuff for friends and family since a covid-related hiatus has kept the theater program shelved.

“It would feel wrong just leaving them hanging,” said Polito of Arnold.

Krzewinski added: “This is our alma mater, where we both got our start in theater. We want them to have the same fun experience.”

Since summer, about 21 aspiring actors have immersed themselves in the colorful make-believe world of Bikini Bottom, learning the ropes for the youth edition of “The SpongeBob Musical.”

The show will be Friday to Sunday at Charles A. Huston Middle School in the Burrell School District.

Auditions began in July, and rehearsals followed soon after. That meant Polito and Krzewinski had to sacrifice some of their summer break to work on ideas for props, costumes, tickets and fundraisers.

All of that, with a zero-dollar budget.

It was a lot to tackle for teens who were starting their senior year and applying to colleges.

“He was texting me while I was on vacation so we could get a plan together,” Krzewinski said. “Here I am at the beach, and we’re worried about SpongeBob.”

The pair sees the musical as a way to strengthen the bond between the two schools.

And the directorial experience has taught them a great deal about leadership and teamwork, time management and problem-solving.

“We come straight here from our day of school,” Krzewinski said. “We have to be organized to keep these kids on task.”

Daily rehearsals begin with a five-minute meditation while “Best Day Ever” and other theme music from the show blares in the background. The time allows the grade schoolers to focus on their character and get in the right mindset, Polito said.

After so many weeks, a trust has built up between the teens and the aspiring actors, with everyone working toward a successful show. The gymnasium is filled with explosions of neon-colored papier-maché props that create the underwater world and clusters of dancers learning some difficult moves.

“They push us to do our best,” said 12-year-old Evan Crimmins of New Kensington, who landed the lead role of SpongeBob.

“I feel like they know us and what we are capable of,” said Annabelle Pollino, a seventh grader who plays Sandy, the quick-witted squirrel.

Several adults from the school community have stepped up to help the teen directors with costumes and sets. Props were borrowed from Valley High School, which performed the show in recent years.

Principal Cathy Collett said she’s grateful to the St. Joseph students who felt compelled to salvage the school’s theater program.

“They came to me with quite a plan, so I wasn’t hesitant to give them an OK,” Collett said. “It takes a lot of organization with tickets, food, tech week, costumes and props. They came in ready to go.

“They did a lovely job last year, and I think this will also be a fun one.”

Also stepping up from St. Joe’s are choreographers Amelia Wygonik and Bailey Linza, and stage manager Nicholas Brown.

Coordinating the large ensemble numbers has proved to be a task because the dances are more ambitious than in last year’s “Willy Wonka.”

“We pulled it off last year, so I just keep telling the kids to keep that energy high,” Polito said.

“Even in the smallest of ways, this experience will help these kids if they want to do public speaking or any public role in their future,” Krzewinski added. “I know acting has helped me not be so nervous. I just keep thinking about the kids here, and I want them to have this experience, and I want the community to enjoy it, too.”