Discover how Reagan takes on a Titanic production

Taking on a high school musical is a daunting task, but this year’s plan for the Reagan High School Fine Arts program is one of titanic proportions.

“We just wanted to one-up ourselves, to go bigger, and to see how far we could push our program,” said Reagan Theatre Director Paul Fillingim.

This year, more than 200 Reagan Rattlers are involved in this year’s production of Titanic the Musical.

“It’s not a show that is produced very often, because of the scale and the needs of the cast, how many people sing and the set,” said Fillingim. “I think it tells them I am a little bit insane. But I think it also tells them I have a belief in their abilities and training and what they know how to do.”

A Broadway touring company used the exact set, and actor Nathan Napoli says it's so big you have to see it to believe it.

"We usually get the wood from Lowes or something and put it together here ourselves," said Napoli. "It's still a phenomenal set, but you know just coming in and having one brought to us and it being this big, to this extent, is just something new."

This set isn't just massive, the ship looks like it's sinking on stage. Backstage wenches controlled by a student stagehand will lower one end and raise the other.

Mr. Fillingim beamed about his students, “You set the bar high they will meet it.”

"Not only are we trying to push the kids to a higher level, we also push ourselves to a higher level,” added Technical Director James Kaiser.

"When you come and see the show, none of us, none of the directors are back there at all," said Fillingham. "It is completely student-run, from the lights to the sound to the acting to the sinking of the ship, to the violin. Every single thing is done by a student. And that is something we are really proud of."

Titanic runs Feb. 6-8 with shows starting at 7 p.m.

You can get tickets are ReaganStage.org