Fitch High Student Writes A Musical

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Ten songs from a musical written by Fitch High School senior Jocelyn Selby will be performed for the public for the first time this evening.

The songs from “A Hidden Tale” will be sung by Fitch Drama Club members, including Selby, at the school’s auditorium at 6 p.m. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Selby wrote every aspect of the musical, including the script and lyrics. She started on the project in March of 2020 when the school switched to remote learning, said her mother, Sheleen Selby.

Bill Klein, choir and drama director at Fitch, was impressed when presented with Selby’s work.

“I took some time to review the story line and the orchestration,” Klein said. “It’s outstanding for a high school student. Writing a musical is an enormous task. To have a senior in high school not only write the story line, but also score it for a full orchestra, is amazing.”

There are no plans to present the musical as a full stage production this semester because of time constraints and the amount of work that would involve.

“A Hidden Tale” tells the story of siblings Violet and Henry, who venture together through a portal into a new world. It seems to be heading for a classic fairytale ending but the story continues.

Sheleen Selby said her daughter has always been interested in music, theater and all aspects of performance.

“She even drew the costumes for her musical,” Selby said.

The student plans to pursue music after graduating. She has applied to Carnegie Mellon University and is currently in the admissions interviewing process, her mother said.

“Her dream is to go to New York and write musicals for Broadway,” she said.

At Fitch, the young Selby is president of the Drama Club and has appeared in many productions. She choreographed and also has a role in the school’s spring production of “The Music Man.”

Selby is also in the Fitch High Band, where she is the drum major. She plays flute and piano.

She is also a National Honor Society Member and a member of the Fitch High Link Crew, which mentors and assists incoming students.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.