Performing on the stage of the Muny is something the vast majority of Edwardsville theater students only dream about.

Broadway stars, professional dancers and expertly trained singers can be seen under the spotlight night after night, but if one watched the latest production, they might have just caught a glimpse of an Edwardsville student.

Senior Claudia Vazquez had the opportunity to perform at the Muny this summer in the cast of the musical “Aida.”  She became a member of the cast after Duane Martin Foster, the director of several musical theater companies in the area, asked her to join a 20-person choir. The show needed extra voices because it is traditionally an energetic and powerful production. She sang backstage with the group during large vocal numbers and made an appearance onstage for the song, “Gods Love Nubia” at the end of Act 1.

“(That) was definitely the coolest part of it all especially because there were about 10,000 to 11,000 people in the audience every night,” Vazquez said.

Preparing to perform on the Muny stage is extremely fast-paced, Vazquez said. Rehearsals started the week before her performances. In order to maximize their rehearsal time, the cast held a “midnight tech” the Saturday before their first show where they ran through the acts from 7 p.m. to midnight.

During rehearsals, the cast would map out their steps on stage and learn the different movements that corresponded with their lines.

“We would show up and basically start right away. The creative team would sort of shout ideas at us and we would have to catch on quickly,” Vazquez said. “There wasn’t really any repeating of directions or choreography.”

Because of the rapid preparation necessary for Muny productions, Vazquez had a completely different experience with theater this summer than she had in past performances put on by the EHS drama club.

“At the Muny, we were given a short amount of time and expected to come in knowing our part already,” she said. “At Edwardsville High School, we are given memorization deadlines and we have time to polish.”

Seniors Madelyn Foster and Hannah Nafziger are also members of the EHS drama club and were two faces in the audience during one of Vazquez’s performances. They wanted to show the EHS drama club’s support for Vazquez by attending the show.

“The Muny always puts on phenomenal productions, and Claudia just lit up on stage,” Foster said. “I was beaming.”

EHS’s choir director Emily Ottwein also supports Vazquez’s participation in “Aida.” She believes that her students will grow from these experiences and hopes they will have fun along the way.

“I get so excited for the opportunities my students have and the things that they are getting to experience,” Ms. Ottwein said. “Anything that broadens their world and lets them see a little bit outside of the school and their hometown can only benefit them.”

While Vazquez doesn’t believe that she will pursue acting as a career, she will try to continue to perform in shows through her senior and college years while maintaining her appreciation for musical theater.

“My favorite thing is seeing what once was just words or music on a page come to life,” she said. “As I get older, coming back and watching Muny shows with friends will be a must.”