Behind the Scenes of Chicago: Teen Edition - Godolphin Students Shine in a Five Show December Run
When Chicago: Teen Edition opened at Godolphin, the audience saw the glamour: dazzling sequins, show‑stopping choreography, and a cast that owned the stage with confidence far beyond their years. But behind the iconic jazz hands and razor-sharp one‑liners lived a world of late‑night rehearsals, academic pressures, ambitious set builds, and a fierce sense of community.
This is the story behind the scenes, told by the students who brought Velma and Roxie to life, and the teachers who helped shape every spotlight moment.
Becoming Velma: Addie’s unexpected leap into performing
For Addie, who stepped into the formidable shoes of Velma Kelly, the journey was as surprising as it was transformative.
“I had never acted before this show,” she admits. “In my final year at Godolphin I attended my first audition and ended up performing in a lead role.”
Despite being new to the stage, her performance was so convincing that even her sister joked afterwards, “I’m not sure how much of that was acting.” Addie laughs: “That sums it up perfectly. Velma is confident, strong, and unapologetic, and maybe I am too.”
What resonated most for her was the musical’s unapologetic celebration of female independence.
“It loudly celebrates women’s rejection of men and their expectations,” she explains.
“Velma’s methods may be undesirable, but she is liberated, she builds the life she wants and answers to no one. That’s very powerful.”
But the behind‑the‑scenes reality was just as impressive as the on‑stage performance.
Both Addie and Emily (Roxie) were applying to Oxbridge while rehearsals were at full tilt.
“During show week we were preparing for interviews behind the scenes before stepping onstage in sequins to sing and dance,” she says. “It was intense, but amazing.”
The biggest personal lesson?
“That performing isn’t scary like sport. The whole audience, cast, and crew are on your side. It’s never too late to try something new.”
Finding Roxie: Emi’s journey into confidence and collaboration
Emi, who played Roxie Hart, connected with her character in a very personal way.
“I relate to her ambition, curiosity, and drive to succeed,” she shares.
“She’s entering a world she’s not experienced before and finding her feet, something I relate to as I reach adulthood and think about university.”
While she doesn’t sympathise with Roxie or Velma’s actions, she understands the pressure that drives them.
“They exist in a competitive sphere, constantly fighting to be seen.”
She also revealed a behind‑the‑scenes detail that the audience might never have guessed:
“The incredible set was actually built and taken down by a team of school volunteers. We’re all immensely grateful.”
For Emi, the show proved something powerful:
“When I’m part of a team, I can achieve more than I ever think, especially with skills I’m not confident in, like dance. And I ended up really enjoying myself!”
The Teachers’ Vision: Crafting a Chicago for young performers
Why Chicago: Teen Edition?
Head of Drama and Performing Arts, Caroline Loader, and Head of Music, Katherine Chalmers, knew early on that Chicago had the perfect combination of style, challenge, and character.
“Chicago is iconic,” they say simply.
“With its jazz-inspired score, Bob Fosse-style choreography, and wide variety of characters, it allowed us to showcase all the amazing skills our pupils have.”
Adapting the show for a school — without losing the edge
While the Teen Edition removes or adapts mature content, the creative team leaned into symbolism to retain the show’s depth.
“We wanted the audience to interpret meaning beyond the surface,” they explain.
“This approach made it more immersive and thought‑provoking while keeping the original energy and style.”
The biggest creative challenge
“It’s a big show,” they emphasise.
Musically, dramatically, choreographically—it stretched everyone.
Godolphin had never staged a dance‑focused musical before. But thanks to the bold choreography of Hatti Dawson and the students’ relentless practice, the cast rose to the challenge spectacularly.
Alongside this, the technical design was ambitious:
“Many hours of planning, designing, and building went into making sure the set did the performers justice. It was a massive team effort—but worth every moment.”
Growth, confidence, and the power of a team
The teachers say watching the cast evolve was one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire process.
“It was incredible to witness the growth in confidence—especially among younger students doing their first major musical,” they reflect.
“And to see individuals who had never participated in a production step forward and embrace the challenge was wonderful.”
The highlight for Caroline and Katherine?
The final tech weekend.
Tech rehearsals are famously long, slow, and fuelled by snacks, but something magical happened.
“During our first full run‑through with lights and sound, these tired performers pulled off a slick, professional run. When the bows finished, the look on their faces, realising 'We’ve done it, we have a show!', was unforgettable.”
Key Lessons for Students
The production aimed to leave students with a deep appreciation for community, recognising that every cast member, dancer, musician, builder, volunteer, technician, and creative contributed to its success. It highlighted that a show is far more than the work onstage; it relies equally on lighting, sound, costumes, set construction, backstage support, and countless unseen efforts. Students were encouraged to understand the value of each role and the importance of collaboration across different year groups, reinforcing that every contribution, big or small, is essential to bringing a production to life.
A final bow
Chicago: Teen Edition at Godolphin wasn’t just a musical.
It was a testament to courage, collaboration, creativity, and the joy of stepping outside your comfort zone.
It created memories, and confidence, that will long outlive the final chorus of All That Jazz.
When Chicago: Teen Edition opened at Godolphin, the audience saw the glamour: dazzling sequins, show‑stopping choreography, and a cast that owned the stage with confidence far beyond their years. But behind the iconic jazz hands and razor-sharp one‑liners lived a world of late‑night rehearsals, academic pressures, ambitious set builds, and a fierce sense of community.
This is the story behind the scenes, told by the students who brought Velma and Roxie to life, and the teachers who helped shape every spotlight moment.
Becoming Velma: Addie’s unexpected leap into performing
For Addie, who stepped into the formidable shoes of Velma Kelly, the journey was as surprising as it was transformative.
“I had never acted before this show,” she admits. “In my final year at Godolphin I attended my first audition and ended up performing in a lead role.”
Despite being new to the stage, her performance was so convincing that even her sister joked afterwards, “I’m not sure how much of that was acting.” Addie laughs: “That sums it up perfectly. Velma is confident, strong, and unapologetic, and maybe I am too.”
What resonated most for her was the musical’s unapologetic celebration of female independence.
“It loudly celebrates women’s rejection of men and their expectations,” she explains.
“Velma’s methods may be undesirable, but she is liberated, she builds the life she wants and answers to no one. That’s very powerful.”
But the behind‑the‑scenes reality was just as impressive as the on‑stage performance.
Both Addie and Emily (Roxie) were applying to Oxbridge while rehearsals were at full tilt.
“During show week we were preparing for interviews behind the scenes before stepping onstage in sequins to sing and dance,” she says. “It was intense, but amazing.”
The biggest personal lesson?
“That performing isn’t scary like sport. The whole audience, cast, and crew are on your side. It’s never too late to try something new.”
Finding Roxie: Emi’s journey into confidence and collaboration
Emi, who played Roxie Hart, connected with her character in a very personal way.
“I relate to her ambition, curiosity, and drive to succeed,” she shares.
“She’s entering a world she’s not experienced before and finding her feet, something I relate to as I reach adulthood and think about university.”
While she doesn’t sympathise with Roxie or Velma’s actions, she understands the pressure that drives them.
“They exist in a competitive sphere, constantly fighting to be seen.”
She also revealed a behind‑the‑scenes detail that the audience might never have guessed:
“The incredible set was actually built and taken down by a team of school volunteers. We’re all immensely grateful.”
For Emi, the show proved something powerful:
“When I’m part of a team, I can achieve more than I ever think, especially with skills I’m not confident in, like dance. And I ended up really enjoying myself!”
The Teachers’ Vision: Crafting a Chicago for young performers
Why Chicago: Teen Edition?
Head of Drama and Performing Arts, Caroline Loader, and Head of Music, Katherine Chalmers, knew early on that Chicago had the perfect combination of style, challenge, and character.
“Chicago is iconic,” they say simply.
“With its jazz-inspired score, Bob Fosse-style choreography, and wide variety of characters, it allowed us to showcase all the amazing skills our pupils have.”
Adapting the show for a school — without losing the edge
While the Teen Edition removes or adapts mature content, the creative team leaned into symbolism to retain the show’s depth.
“We wanted the audience to interpret meaning beyond the surface,” they explain.
“This approach made it more immersive and thought‑provoking while keeping the original energy and style.”
The biggest creative challenge
“It’s a big show,” they emphasise.
Musically, dramatically, choreographically—it stretched everyone.
Godolphin had never staged a dance‑focused musical before. But thanks to the bold choreography of Hatti Dawson and the students’ relentless practice, the cast rose to the challenge spectacularly.
Alongside this, the technical design was ambitious:
“Many hours of planning, designing, and building went into making sure the set did the performers justice. It was a massive team effort—but worth every moment.”
Growth, confidence, and the power of a team
The teachers say watching the cast evolve was one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire process.
“It was incredible to witness the growth in confidence—especially among younger students doing their first major musical,” they reflect.
“And to see individuals who had never participated in a production step forward and embrace the challenge was wonderful.”
The highlight for Caroline and Katherine?
The final tech weekend.
Tech rehearsals are famously long, slow, and fuelled by snacks, but something magical happened.
“During our first full run‑through with lights and sound, these tired performers pulled off a slick, professional run. When the bows finished, the look on their faces, realising 'We’ve done it, we have a show!', was unforgettable.”
Key Lessons for Students
The production aimed to leave students with a deep appreciation for community, recognising that every cast member, dancer, musician, builder, volunteer, technician, and creative contributed to its success. It highlighted that a show is far more than the work onstage; it relies equally on lighting, sound, costumes, set construction, backstage support, and countless unseen efforts. Students were encouraged to understand the value of each role and the importance of collaboration across different year groups, reinforcing that every contribution, big or small, is essential to bringing a production to life.
A final bow
Chicago: Teen Edition at Godolphin wasn’t just a musical.
It was a testament to courage, collaboration, creativity, and the joy of stepping outside your comfort zone.
It created memories, and confidence, that will long outlive the final chorus of All That Jazz.