Innovation tells inspiring story from Greek mythology 

By Clara Toot, JCSD Communications Specialist

JOHNSTON, Ia. (Nov. 19, 2024) — Johnston High School’s varsity show choir Innovation is taking a new approach to its show this year. 

With the theme “Prometheus Unbound,” the nearly 100 students in Innovation will be using Greek mythology to send an inspiring message to the audience as they take the stage for the first time Nov. 25 for their annual “T-Shirt show” performance, and as their competition season kicks off in January.Gruop shot

A new approach

In the past, Innovation shows have portrayed a general message — meaning there is a subtle, overarching theme throughout, but doesn’t necessarily tell a story. This year, director Laura Grimm wanted to change that. 

“I was ready to change it up a bit and give the show a new look,” Grimm said. “When you get stuck in the same pattern or design, it becomes stale and stagnant. I was looking to make it fresh.”

Students also appreciate the change. 

“This show is different from anything we’ve really done before,” JHS senior Alice Trachta said. “Having a theme is really cool and I think we portray it in a way that’s super interesting and different.”

JHS senior Kyron Pope added: “I’m a big dancer, so I really like our closer, which is super super dance heavy. It’s a lot different than what I’ve seen Inno do in the past.”

A Greek journey

This year, Innovation will present a musical mythological journey with the story of the Greek god Prometheus, who helped mankind through its darkest hours while sharing mercy, knowledge and wisdom with humans. 

Upon the defeat of the Titans in the Great War, humans are banished to cold and darkness. Prometheus shows his love and mercy to mankind and brings them fire and knowledge. Upon learning of Prometheus’ disobedience, the God Zeus orders Prometheus chained to a mountainside for eternity, where every night an eagle comes to torture him, devouring his liver only to have it regrown by morning. 

IMG 2065Prometheus is eventually saved by Hercules, and once freed continues to serve mankind and raise them up to their full potential. In the end, Prometheus and his story have become equivalent to standing against injustice and standing up for what you believe in. He rises to help mankind with wisdom and courage.

Designing the show concept

The idea of weaving the story of the Greek god Prometheus into Innovation’s show this year came about nine months ago. In February, Grimm began planning for Innovation 2025 — taking into account the strengths of the group, the clientele served and ways to showcase and benefit them. She typically selects the ballad first, and designs the show off that. 

“I try to come up with new ways to send messages to the audience through the way the kids perform,” Grimm said. “IIMG 3043 like to incorporate real life aspects so people relate that message back to their lives– messages that people feel like they can live and grow through.”

Costumes for the year will include blues and reds in the beginning. Next, the girls will wear fire-themed dresses to represent the fire in the story. At the end, the girls are wearing gold and the boys are in blue to celebrate freedom. The crew and stage design team are in the process of creating a backdrop, which incorporates a screen showing multiple different scene sequences. Grimm’s selection of two different choreographers also creates a variety throughout the show.

Following next week’s T-shirt show, the season for JHS show choirs runs from January through March with six competitions including SHOWZAM!, which is hosted by Johnston each year:

Jan. 16: Show Choir Informance 7:30pm at JHS Auditorium

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Jan. 18: Linn Mar Supernova Invitational

Jan. 24-25: Johnston SHOWZAM!

Feb. 15: Urbandale Invitational

Feb. 22: Omaha South Invitational

March 1: Southeast Polk Invitational

March 28: End of Year Show Choir Show 6:30 p.m. JHS Auditorium

Hard work and dedication

This year, Innovation has 64 singers and 36 band and crew members. It’s one of three show choirs at Johnston High School and is offered to juniors and seniors. Bella Voce is a fully treble show choir for students grades 9-12, while Synergy is the junior varsity show choir for students grades 10-12. 

“I have never been in a more hardworking and disciplined group — we put in tons of time to rehearse and refine our show to perfection,” Trachta said. “This is no easy task, it requires lots of focus and dedication. This year’s group has been great at encouraging each other and I think this will take us far in our season.”IMG 2081

Focus and dedication are a huge aspect of bringing a show choir together —and it doesn’t come without some challenges.

“Getting everyone focused at the beginning of the season was a little difficult,” Pope said. “But once we get focused, the strides we take are super crazy. We grow so much in just three hours on Monday nights and the strides we take are so beneficial to us later in the season.”

IMG 2048Grimm said the students in Innovation are not only very talented, but they are kind humans. That’s helped Innovation to continue its tradition of service and its motto that “we rise by lifting others.” The approach has been a successful one for Innovation, which has not only earned several grand championships each year and a national championship in 2023, but has also been like family.  

“Innovation has taught me so many lessons,” Trachta said. “Yes, how to be a good performer, but more importantly how to be a great teammate, leader and person.”