North Valley High School
Grants Pass, Oregon
1981-2009
FREE DESIGN, under the direction of Dave Hegdahl, started in 1981 as a
special show to raise money for a trip to Disneyland. The show was so
successful it was put on again in 1982. Over the years the show
expanded to include group staging, choreography, improved lighting and
sound. Show "themes" featured music from the 1920's, 30's and 40's as
well a Rock and Roll, Jazz and even Country.
As the years went on more people came to see the FREE DESIGN shows. By 2000 the group performed 6 shows over two weekends. In 2002 FREE DESIGN out-grew the NVHS commons and the show moved to the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center. In 2005, when Dave Hegdahl retired, the show was bringing in over 1,600 people.
What makes FREE DESIGN special is that each show is completely staged and professional musicians are hired to play in the back-up band. Professional lighting and sound add to the high level of the shows. Above all is the unique "energy" that a FREE DESIGN show has. From 2002-2006 the shows were run as a "professional" production with a music director and a professional show director that assembled each show. Each "cast member" was expected to know their music, staging and choreography as directed to be on stage. This provided the FREE DESIGN members a look into the real world of professional shows. Many FREE DESIGN members have gone on to perform in major musicals and shows.
This web site is dedicated to the over 350+ Free Design cast members that made each show come alive for the audiences since 1981. The FREE DESIGN show is still being produced each year and the 2010 USO show was a hit with the audience. Check out the VIDEO to see songs from 1984-2009 as they were performed "live" on stage.
As the years went on more people came to see the FREE DESIGN shows. By 2000 the group performed 6 shows over two weekends. In 2002 FREE DESIGN out-grew the NVHS commons and the show moved to the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center. In 2005, when Dave Hegdahl retired, the show was bringing in over 1,600 people.
What makes FREE DESIGN special is that each show is completely staged and professional musicians are hired to play in the back-up band. Professional lighting and sound add to the high level of the shows. Above all is the unique "energy" that a FREE DESIGN show has. From 2002-2006 the shows were run as a "professional" production with a music director and a professional show director that assembled each show. Each "cast member" was expected to know their music, staging and choreography as directed to be on stage. This provided the FREE DESIGN members a look into the real world of professional shows. Many FREE DESIGN members have gone on to perform in major musicals and shows.
This web site is dedicated to the over 350+ Free Design cast members that made each show come alive for the audiences since 1981. The FREE DESIGN show is still being produced each year and the 2010 USO show was a hit with the audience. Check out the VIDEO to see songs from 1984-2009 as they were performed "live" on stage.