Warsaw Federal Incline Theater’s 'Footloose' Director Shares His Vision for the Summer Production

Eric Byrd, the director and choreographer of Warsaw Federal Incline Theater’s production of Footloose. Photo: Provided by Eric Byrd

Cincinnati’s Warsaw Federal Incline Theater is back with another hit summer show. This production of Footloose, a musical about a teen who moves into a small town and helps overturn a ban against dancing, is an adaptation based on the 1998 Broadway musical and is on the Warsaw stage until June 25.

Warsaw Federal Incline Theater belongs to Cincinnati Landmark Productions, a 36-year-old theater organization bringing the community local and professional talent each season. The director and choreographer for Warsaw’s rendition of Footloose, Eric Byrd, sat down with CityBeat last week to share his vision for the show. Byrd previously served as the director of Warsaw’s summer 2022 production of Newsies. Byrd began his journey in theater at a young age, where he performed in musically staged productions in elementary school. He also dabbled in a church theater group before becoming more involved in theater in junior high and high school. Below, Byrd details his experience directing and why you have to see Footloose.

CityBeat: What made you want to begin directing?
Eric Byrd: I was looking for new challenges and had been a casting associate in New York City where I got to work in audition rooms with actors on small portions of the script. But once the actors were cast, my job was complete. I knew I wanted to be more involved in seeing the production through to the finish line and thought directing would be the next logical step.

CB: When did you begin directing?
EB: Unofficially when I was around 5 or 6 — I staged a production of Peter Pan in my living room starring my cousins. But officially around 2012 when I began assistant directing and choreographing at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Michigan.

CB: What do you get out of directing, personally?
EB: A sense of pride at seeing the growth and evolution of the story and the actors. I love collaborating with actors and seeing them take ownership of the roles they inhabit and soar in their performances.

CB: What is your favorite part of directing?
EB: Piecing together the puzzle and creative problem solving — the most exhilarating part is looking at all the given circumstances, plot points, underscoring, scenic elements and working to figure out how to keep the show moving.

CB: Are you using any specific inspiration from other shows for Footloose?
EB: Based on what I know about the stage and space, I have incorporated some staging ideas from Newsies to help keep the show moving.

CB: Where else are you pulling inspiration from?
EB: I used to teach line dancing at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, so for the country bar scenes, I tapped back into my line dance days.

CB: How much inspiration from the Footloose movie are you putting in your show?
EB: There are some iconic dance moves and moments from the movie that I wanted to honor in this production. We set this production in 1985 as an homage to the original film.

CB: How much inspiration from the Broadway musical are you putting into the show?
EB: The musical adaptation came about in the late 90s and took place in present day, so it felt quintessentially modern and of that era. I decided to set it in the ’80s, so I didn’t take a lot from that version, except for a love for the piece.

CB: What personal twists or signatures are you incorporating into this show?
EB: I wanted to really capture what city life was like in the opening number and so I start the show on the elevated train of Chicago, the first choreographed sequence, which features fancy footwork, iconic to the opening of the movie. It all takes place on the train as the citizens head to a night out at the club. I wanted it to feel more kinetic than the slow and easy pace of Bomont (the fictitious setting of Footloose). But trains are a repeated theme throughout and so the dichotomy of the two, one for transportation and one for commerce, show how different the metropolis can feel from the country.

CB: Have you ever found a cast or crew that you have really clicked with?
EB: All of them in one way shape, or form. We see a lot of talent auditioning for these shows, and so putting together a cast is another puzzle unto itself. But I always look for people with great attitudes and a collaborative spirit and then try and foster a room of teamwork and kindness so that everyone can really click.

CB: What’s working with the cast of Footloose like?
EB: This cast is extremely talented and quick to learn and pick up. They were eager and hard-working and I am so proud of what they created. Some people might not know this but Ohio and specifically the greater Cincinnati area is home to some of the top theater training schools in the country. The cast features representation from CCM, Wright State, NKU and Otterbein. These actors are the future of theater and Broadway and I’m excited that they are sticking around in the summer to be a part of the show.

CB: What do you hope the audience pulls from this show?
EB: This is a story of a town that experienced extreme grief, and in an effort to protect people from ever feeling deep grief again, passes legislation outlawing dancing, without understanding the ramifications it has on its young people. The same thing is happening today with book bans and drag bans — joyful things are being legislated against out of fear. Dancing may not be for you, drag may not be for you, certain books may not be for you, but it is not necessary to outlaw it for everyone. Dancing is not a crime.

CB: What has been your most “prized” show you’ve ever directed or participated in?
EB: I was in a production of Ragtime my freshman year of college, and it left a lasting impression on me. It was so professionally crafted and executed and set the standard for expectations that I still hold myself up to to this day.

CB: Do you have a big “theater goal”?
EB: I love creating opportunities for actors in this area. Cincinnati has such a vibrant theater scene and recruits talent from all over the country to attend its fabulous universities. I’d love to continue to keep these actors in town while they are training to see them take on great roles in a supportive and inclusive environment before they move on to the big time.

CB: How does your production stand out from the others?
EB: It really captures the youthful energy necessary to telling this story. The actors are all around the ages of the characters so the stakes feel high and the fight feels very important.

CB: Anything else you want people to know about you or this production?
EB: I’m grateful for the opportunity to work on this show, with this group, and at this theater.

Footloose runs through June 25 at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, 801 Matson Place, East Price Hill. For more information, visit cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

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