The Spongebob Musical: Junior University Theatre

SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical isn’t just a cute cartoon onstage, it’s a full-scale community theater build with real spectacle, real heart, and a whole lot of teamwork. We sit down with Melissa (director) and Marissa (board member) from Junior University Musical Theatre to talk about bringing Bikini Bottom to San Bernardino with a cast of 50+ performers ranging from ages nine to ninety-nine. If you love family-friendly musicals, youth theater, or simply want a great night of live theater in the Inland Empire, this one is for you.

We get into what makes SpongeBob such a smart choice for a broad audience: an eclectic score with songs written by different pop artists, a story built on friendship and collaboration, and the kind of humor that lands whether you grew up with the show or watched it with your kids. Melissa also shares what it’s like directing an educational theater organization where students learn alongside experienced alumni and “seasoned” community actors, building skills and confidence in a supportive environment.

Then we zoom out to the bigger story of Junior University, founded in 1963, and how the group adapted after COVID by moving from outdoor summer productions at Perris Hill Bowl into the San Manuel Performing Arts Center on the Aquinas High School campus. We talk about the value of that community partnership, the perks of a state-of-the-art venue, and the details audiences actually feel, like a lobby experience that drops you straight into Bikini Bottom plus tech magic from bubbles to dry ice to black lights.

If you enjoy hearing how community theater gets made and why it matters right now, subscribe, share this with a theater friend, and leave us a review so more listeners can find the show.

Junior University Presents: The SpongeBob Musical

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Transcript

The Tech Magic Behind The Show

SPEAKER_02 0:00

I can't say enough about Dan. If I make a wish, Dan makes it happen. All the way from bubble machines to dry ice smoke to black lights in the rafters. Everything I ask for, Dan makes it happen. So I'm just so, so grateful to him and his team as well.

Welcome To Steps To The Stage

SPEAKER_00 0:19

Welcome to Steps to the Stage, Inland Empire, where we talk to the community theater professionals from the vibrant Inland Empire theater community. Hey theater friends, welcome to Steps to the Stage, where we talk to the theater professionals that you know and love. Today is one of our Inland Empire editions, and we're really excited to have back on the show Melissa, who's been with us before, and also Marissa, who is a first-time guest. But what I'm really excited about is this is a theater that I really didn't have a lot of information on. So I'm excited to learn about the uh junior university theater and also to talk about your upcoming production of SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical. So we're gonna head on down to Bikini Bottom right now, and we are gonna have ourselves a good time and learn about this new production that is coming up, um, opening on July 10th, uh, coming up real quick. So we want to make sure that we get some good information out there to all the people so that we can get some um new theater patrons out to your lovely theater. And I've I've done a little research. Um, we're gonna talk a little bit about Spongebob first, and then we'll go into the junior university um side of

Why SpongeBob Works Onstage

SPEAKER_00 1:36

it. But this is a production that um premiered in June 2016 um at the Oriental Theater in Chicago, and then its Broadway debut was at the Palace Theater in December of 2017, nominated for 12 Tonies um with a win in the best scenic and tons of other um awards and accolades. Unfortunately, this little world pandemic thing came around and kind of you know put a bit of a uh uh we'll say uh a speed bump into this particular production. But um book is by Kyle Giro and um Melissa, who's been on our uh program before, is the director. The show dates are July 10th through the 19th and San Manuel Performing Arts Center. Um, and if I get anything wrong, you guys, just correct me. It's all good. Um, I want to get all the correct information, but also with us today is Marissa, who um is on the board. And and Marissa, we just love to know because this is kind of a new theater for us that steps to the stage, and and we're really trying to promote community theater all across the inland empire. So we're really excited to find out that there's there's more theaters out there, and and by looking at some of your socials and your websites, it sounds like you guys are pretty active and have a really good program out there. So tell us a little bit more about it, Marissa.

Junior University Origins And The Move

SPEAKER_01 3:07

Well, Junior University has been around since 1963. We originally performed a summer production every summer at the Paris Hill Bowl. Uh, and that was up until just before COVID. Unfortunately, because of it being an outdoor theater and a lot of, you know, specs and just safety for the actors, we eventually have to move to the performing arts center. But when we moved, we did lose a lot of our community because people thought we just left. But fortunately, we are now in a wonderfully air-conditioned theater. We're no longer outside and not having to wear ice packs on our backs so that the the performers can perform safely in the middle of summer. But this is our annual production that we do every single year.

SPEAKER_00 4:02

That's fantastic. And I mean, great to hear that it has such a rich and long history, and we understand the struggles. Obviously, I think a lot of the theaters went through some difficulties during that time. And we lost some really good theaters in in our local area. But I'm really glad to see that um uh so many of the theaters now are really starting to uh find their voice again, I think is a good way to say it. And uh, well, I we really appreciate you coming on and giving us some information, and we'll give some more details at the end. And of course, in our show notes, where we'll put some links to your website and um how to get tickets and and everything else. And then then definitely what we need to do is make sure is get on your list uh before next year's production and make sure we can do uh uh do an episode earlier and and get the word out there. So fantastic. Well, thank you so much, Marissa. And I'm sure we're gonna have a couple other questions as we go along, but I want to talk to Melissa, our good friend Melissa.

A Family Cast Ages Nine To Ninety-Nine

SPEAKER_00 5:05

She's been on on the pod several times before and has a long, rich history as well in the theater community. And she is taking on SpongeBob, which is a beloved character and a beloved program. Um, I remember clearly when my kids were young, spending hours watching and just laughing and uh doing the voices and just not getting enough of it. So it's so exciting to see this come on stage. But wow, what an undertaking I must imagine. But I'm gonna stop talking because I have a habit of doing too much of that, and I'll let Melissa um give us some insights into this wonderful upcoming production of SpongeBob SquarePants, the musical.

SPEAKER_02 5:50

Well, first of all, Kirk, thank you so much for having us and squeezing us in to your already busy uh pod schedule. We really appreciate you uh highlighting all of the community theaters in the inland umpire. Uh Junior University is a little bit unique in that we have a history, but we have not been performing licensed material for very long. Um we started as an organization that was founded by William and Patsy Dixon. And William Dixon wrote all original material, and so when they were performing outdoors, it was all original um, you know, storytelling of our favorite fairy tales, but usually with a Dixon twist. And so since we've moved to the Performing Arts Center, we've started uh looking at licensed work and the SpongeBob musical is, I think, the fifth in our uh series since we've come back from COVID. So really thrilled to be putting together uh this show. It is a huge undertaking. We have the cast of over 50. Um ages nine to ninety-nine. So one of the beauties of this production is that we have families participating in this show. We have mothers uh that are on stage with their children, brothers and sisters, um, folks that have been a part of junior university since they were, you know, very young, who are now young adults and acting in our lead roles. Uh, our stage crew is made up of folks that have, you know, been involved on stage now for a really long time. So, one of the things I really love about directing for this organization is that you know, family feel we really um we really uh create an environment that is based in learning. Um we are we consider ourselves an educational theater group, and so it's really about these kids getting in and having the opportunity to learn from uh some of these older alumni who have experience to share. So it's really, really been a beautiful experience to direct this show. Um like you said, SpongeBob is so familiar to so many, um, and people love it for all different reasons. You know, I hear kids say that they grew up watching it and it means a lot to them. It's nostalgic in their childhood, and then I hear parents like you say, Well, I watched it with my kids, and it was funny to me too, right? Because it was really made for all audiences, and I think the same is true of the Spongebob musical. It continues on that legacy of really being built for everyone, um, in so much as the score is written and composed by different composers. Uh, every song is written by a different pop artist, and so we have this feel that's very eclectic, uh very fun, and and very much a throwback to that nostalgic cartoon that we're also used to. Um there's a story of friendship, the power of uh, you know, what folks can do if they pour their skills together to accomplish something. Um so there's really something in it for everyone, even if, you know, maybe you weren't the biggest fan of the cartoon. Uh, this is a really wholesome, fun story that I think everybody can get behind.

SPEAKER_00 9:16

And I I'm just you have no idea. I've I've actually got goosebumps just hearing about not only that size of the cast, but the family and being on stage together and just all the different experiences that can bring out. And having now been involved myself personally for a little over a decade in community theater and experiencing that a little bit with my own family and now some of my lifelong friends that that are a part of the theater community and going and seeing their productions. And I just and then also knowing the long history of um uh of the organization and that you have so many people that are back and are, you know, as Marissa talked about, like bringing that whole energy back, um, which we absolutely need. We've talked about this on the other podcast before, Melissa, about how important art is right now. And um, you know, I'm gonna do a little side thing because you and I had a great text exchange yesterday about the World Cup going on and just how that is something that brings people together, right? And when things maybe aren't just feeling great, you can see all these people get together from different parts of the world, and and you know, yeah, they're coming and they're supporting their team, but more importantly, they're celebrating the cultures, the music, the food. They're learning about our culture, our food. And I think community theater really gives an opportunity for that as well. And just to have people to get on stage and to be able to perform and and and send that message out is just it's delightful. There's it's just magical. It's it's what I think SpongeBob embodies, and what I always felt every time that I was around, any type of whether it was a production or whether it was whether you're walking around, you know, Hollywood or or or Times Square, and you see someone in a SpongeBob costume, and you just you smile, you smile right away. It's it's it's really difficult not to. 50 cast members. You you said you've got music coming from a variety of different pop influences and writers. I want to know a little bit more about this

The Venue And Community Partnerships

SPEAKER_00 11:33

actual theater because unfortunately we weren't able to get our schedules together that I can come out and visit it and see it. But I'd love to know more about it, and I'd love to know more about its, you know, it's its its capacity, it's it's how is it built up for theater? How are you adapting? Or is it just perfect for theater?

SPEAKER_02 11:53

Man, this house that we have the distinct opportunity to share with Aquinas High School is state of the art. It's the most beautiful performing art center you could imagine, all the way down to, you know, turned wood acoustic paneling along the ceiling. Um, there's fly space. It's it's really more than we could we could ever ask for. It was an adjustment though for our technical uh folks to move everything that they knew from outside to inside a performing arts center. And so, you know, we're still sort of adjusting to that. And uh adjusting means buying new equipment and looking at new ways of doing things that that this particular organization hasn't necessarily been a party to. They they never had fly space outside, right? Where we could fly set pieces in from uh the ceiling and things like that. And so uh it's been a delight to work in this theater. This is my uh fourth summer with JU, uh, but I had the pleasure of working in the Performing Arts Center when it was brand new. Um it was built uh from a grant from the San Manuel Band of Indians in partnership with the Catholic Diocese on the Aquinas High School campus of San Bernardino. And then the uh junior university share a partnership with Aquinas High School through a memo of understanding to share their space. And so we're eternally grateful for that partnership. It gives us a space big enough to have not only a 50 cast member production, but also all of the audience members and family members uh that come along with that. Marissa, correct me if I'm wrong. I think the house seats just under 300 is a pretty decent sized auditorium as well.

SPEAKER_01 13:47

Yes, that's correct. It's actually 312, but some of the seats were removed for the handicapped spaces, so you are correct.

SPEAKER_00 13:56

That's great. And I'm sure it has a nice little walk-up box office and maybe a place for uh if you have you know merchandise or if you have snacks and food and everything like that.

SPEAKER_01 14:07

Amazing concession stands.

SPEAKER_00 14:10

Oh, that's wonderful.

SPEAKER_02 14:11

Marissa runs our concessions and our our lobby. Um, and they I have to tell you, Kirk, I I compete with them set design to lobby design because they are just doing the work out there. As soon as you step into that lobby, you are stepping fully into bikini bottom. Um, and there are a plethora of opportunities for you to purchase merchandise and food items that of course support this beautiful nonprofit organization.

SPEAKER_00 14:41

Oh, that's so fantastic. And we talk a lot a lot about on our up other episodes how you know when you go into a theater, you really kind of want to step away from what's going on and you want to you want to go into bikini bottom, you want to go into whatever that production is. And when you have your your house team that's uh you know just setting the mood as you walk in, it just feels so great. You're just you already start getting excited about what you're about to you know witness on stage. So I love to hear that. And and and if I can ask both of you, if you guys could send me some pictures so that I could put that on our social media, that would be absolutely fantastic. Because I like I usually like to come and be there face to face so that I can see the space. And unfortunately with scheduling, we weren't able to do that. Um, so we do apologize to everyone, but yeah, I thought it was really important. Uh Melissa and some people from her team reached out and asked if they could do an episode. And and we were able to get it in right before you guys opened. So I'm gonna be editing this one tonight and getting it out to the world, and um, you know, hopefully getting some more people to um experience what sounds like an amazing theater, but especially what I like to hear from you guys is the partnership within the community, right? Not only the um San Manuel Band of Mission of Indians, but the also the high school that that has you know given up got given up that space for that. But I'm sure they benefit from it as well. But um, and we just love to hear that meet because we also do another series that we call drama department, where we go and talk to local high school theater drama departments, and and you know, it's just all things theater for us. And and so I love to hear that, and I love to hear not only the partnership, but I love to hear that it's just a beautiful venue. And so please send me some pictures so that we can put that on our social media.

Lobby Immersion And Audience Experience

SPEAKER_00 16:33

So um, Melissa, tell me a little bit more about some of your team and the people that are helping you put this all together because I have to imagine with a cast of that size and uh a production that that has you know worldwide renowned, um, you need to have some strong people with you to help you carry this vision out.

SPEAKER_02 16:53

Oh, absolutely. I am supported by a strong arts committee that is a part of the board of directors at Junior University, uh, as well as uh an outstanding production team. I have Michaela Ruiz as my vocal director and Alyssa Chabaria as my choreographer. I have Hannah Schram as my stage manager, and I I love theater because you get to reunite with people over and over again that are just the best people through this work. And as someone I met probably 10 years ago when working on a show, and I was able to invite her back to stage manager uh with us on this production. Um, so between the four of us, we've really you know taken the lead and guided this past uh toward the show that you will see. I have just the most talented technical director. His name is Dan Herman. Um, I can't say enough about Dan. If I make a wish, Dan makes it happen. Um, all the way from bubble machines to dry ice smoke to black lights in the rafters. Uh everything I ask for, Dan makes it happen. So I'm just so, so grateful to him and his team as well. Um we have John Perez, who's Marissa's son, as well as Zach McConnell, another alum working on set design. Uh, we were able to purchase a set part and parcel from Charter Oak Academy, which is a performing arts school in Covina. Uh so our work has just really been making that fit our stage and dressing it up to um make it fit, you know, some of the blocking that we have with this very large cast. Um, really excited to get to work with uh some really talented actors as well. I have Max Montori as SpongeBob to wear pants. So this is my first time working with Max on stage. I've worked with Max uh through LFA a couple of times, um, but just delighted to be able to see them on stage. They light everything up, uh supported

The Production Team And Standout Roles

SPEAKER_02 18:56

by uh Miranda Ariola and Elias Barba as Sandy Chiefs and um Patrick Starr, uh Justin Gilgrough as Swidward, uh tentacles. I'm just delighted to see him in that role. He's just perfect. Um so just just having a great time with these folks. And uh it's really fun to be able to bring in some of my you know more seasoned community actor friends to work with these kids, these students, these uh learners of theater arts to be able to like who better to learn character acting than from Justin, right? So um just thrilled, just thrilled to be working with this team.

SPEAKER_00 19:41

Yeah, and and um it was really nice. I've been following a little bit of the social media and and then when we able we were able to connect and and um you know be able to set this up. Of course, I did did my deep dive and and Marissa, you guys are just doing a great job with your social media and coming up with just some great, I mean, every single cast member has you know their own placard that gets to that get you know has gone out on social media, um and uh and everyone out there, please follow them. They have a great Facebook page, um, Instagram, they also have a wet uh a website. So please follow them, support them, um uh and of course buy your tickets, which is very, very important. So um, so great job, Marissa, to you and your team for for you know embracing what we need to do. I mean, you gotta promote and you gotta get get the word out there, and and social media uh, you know, has its its drawbacks, but it also has amazing outreach. And I think you guys have done a great job. So kudos to you on that.

SPEAKER_01 20:47

Thank you. Thank you. We appreciate that so much. And again, like Melissa said, thank you for highlighting junior university and allowing us the space of time to just get the word out.

SPEAKER_00 20:57

Yeah, absolutely. And um, on that note, everyone, tickets are available online and they are at their website, which is junior university tickets.org. Um, and I'm gonna give the phone number as well. They can call in for tickets, yes? Or is it all online?

SPEAKER_01 21:16

Uh it's primarily online, but if someone needs to make a phone call for tickets, we will make those arrangements.

SPEAKER_00 21:22

Great. And that number is area code 909-619-3819. As mentioned before, they have a great Facebook page, Instagram, that has links to all of um all of the areas that we talked about. Your opening night is this Friday, and these are 7 p.m. for the evening um performances and 2 p.m. for your matinees. And again, this is uh based out in the Salmon Well Band of Mission Indians Performing Arts Center. Um, it is in San Bordino,

Tickets Socials And Closing Requests

SPEAKER_00 21:57

and uh lots of great information and pricing and everything else on the website. So get out there, get your tickets, follow them on all the socials, everyone as well. That's really important. I'll do our little steps to the stage plug here. Reviews are really important, you guys. Put some reviews on your podcast feed, rate us, give it that, give us that five-star rating if you like what you're hearing. Go to our Facebook page and give us a rating. That's how we get into the algorithms, that's how we get out there, that's how we get more and more people to follow us. Um, we are very lucky in in our five plus years of existence. We've got a very uh robust audience in the inland empire, but it goes all around the world. We've just recently hit 99 different countries. So to put that in perspective, I don't know the total number, but I think we have two something, 200 countries in the world, and we've hit 50% of them. So um, so if you're out there, you're in a different country, and you've got a viable theater program, uh, we'd love to hear from you. We've talked to some people in Australia, we've talked to people in England, so please do what you can to support in that regard. Um, it really helps. Go to the website, call, get your tickets, go and see this absolutely wonderful, wonderful, wonderful production. And I say that from the deepest realms of my heart because there are definitely wonderful, wonderful people that love theater, community, family, putting this art out there for you to enjoy your life and experience it in a manner that you just you really can't get from any other source other than going into a theater and seeing live theater. I don't care if it's your kids' kindergarten production or if you are on Broadway watching the Tony Award-winning best production. Theater is just something that really can change your life. So um, Marissa, Melissa, thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate you giving us some great insight into your wonderful program, Junior Junior University Musical Theater, as well as the SpongeBob SquarePants musical that is opening up on July 10th. So get your tickets. Thanks, you guys.

SPEAKER_01 24:28

Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 24:29

Thank you, Kirk. This is the best theater podcast out there. Thanks so much for having us.

SPEAKER_00 24:35

We appreciate it. Thanks for listening to Steps to the State and Limit Fire. Follow us on your favorite podcast platform. And if you're enjoying the show, leave us a five star rating and a review. It really helps. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or visit our website. Steps of the Stage was created by Joey Rice and Kirk Lane. Logo created by Marley Lane, original music by Joey Rice, executive producer, editor, and sometimes host Kirk Lane.