Bluebards deliver with ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ production

Members of the Bluebards Theatre Troupe rehearse “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at the Arnold Hall Theatre, U.S. Air Force Academy May 21, 2025. The musical marked the final production of the 2024–25 academic year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cast members in the Bluebards’ production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” said their character and leadership training enhanced their preparation and performance on the stage.

The musical, based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon comedy, follows the story of Elle Woods as she works through Harvard Law School to prove she’s more than just a sorority girl and win her boyfriend back. Along her journey, she defies expectations and discovers her potential.  The show marked the final production of the 2024–25 academic year. With a cast of 42 cadets, numerous scene changes, almost continuous singing and dancing and a mega-musical operatic score, this was one of the most difficult productions Bluebards has ever undertaken.

Twenty First Class cadets participated in their last show, Lauren Arnold, Bridge Bach, Anya Barnett, Jacob Brady, Michelle Cabonce, Liam Champagne, Santos Colon, Makaila Freeman, Darien Garcia, Ian Garrett, Nicole Hedges, Lauren Hurley, Katie Kucik, Dylan Murray, Hailey Routson, Anna Scofield, Sawyer Stone, Taylor Sturdivant, Kitt Walker, and Adrienne Weaver. These cadets will commission as 2nd Lieutenants on May 29 and will take the skills they learned in theater with them into their active duty careers.

Cadet First Class Sawyer Stone during dress rehearsal for “Legally Blonde: The Musical” in the Arnold Hall Theatre, U.S. Air Force Academy, May 21, 2025. The musical marked the final production of the 2024–25 academic year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

From stage to service: First class cadet spotlight

Over four years at the Academy, Stone has performed in over 10 productions, including playing Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” last December. He found a passion for acting when he was 10 years old. Through Bluebards, Stone learned that the stage is more than a place to practice performance skills; it also provides a meaningful outlet from the intensity of military training and academics.

“Our training at the Academy intentionally puts stress on us to help us develop as warfighters,” Stone said. “Bluebards provides the experience of getting into the human element of warfare and also teaches us what we need to prioritize to get the mission accomplished.”

Stone will commission into the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer. After graduation, he will attend the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to obtain a master’s degree in philosophy. After an assignment with intel, he plans to return to the Academy as a professor in the Philosophy department.

Cadet 2nd Class Elayna Caron, rehearses “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at the Arnold Hall Theatre, U.S. Air Force Academy May 21, 2025. Caron played the lead character, Elle Woods. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

Honing time management skills

Additionally, several 2nd class cadets joined their fellow firsties in setting aside time for rehearsals amid their demanding military and academic responsibilities.

They paused rehearsal last week to run back to their squadrons to get their “job drops” – the job they will do in the Air Force or Space Force next year after their graduation: Layla Bohl, Kyle Corbin, Sam Emma, Connor Lindaur, Solei Montalvo, Tess Schmidt, Fair Sornprasit, Viet Zaengle, and Elayna Caron, who plays the lead character, Elle Woods.

“I fall asleep with our music in my head and wake up to it the next morning,” Caron said. “As the lead character, I have been in the theater for 8-10 hours a week. The experience taught me how to manage my stress, knowing there are some things in the theater I must take care of, along with issues in the Cadet Wing and in my academics. While we’re on call 24/7, it is important to find our passions for an opportunity to decompress.”

From rehearsals to real-world readiness

Bluebards, established in 1957, produces two to three shows each academic year. Cadets manage every aspect of production, including planning, directing, and performing. They also participate in a variety of roles, ranging from acting and directing to stage management and technical support. Bluebards also integrates alumni as mentors and directors.

Col. Michelle Ruehl, Class of 2003, Bluebards’ assistant officer in charge and director of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” said the experience helps cadets develop traits that will benefit them in their military careers. These include public speaking skills, adaptability under pressure, time management and resilience.

Ruehl’s work with Bluebards dates to her time as a cadet when she performed in five shows, including such roles as Laura in “The Glass Menagerie” and the Baker’s Wife in “Into the Woods.”

Upon graduation Ruehl expected Bluebards to be the last of her theater work, but at each duty station she found a way to fly airplanes and stay involved in performing. Ruehl returned to the Academy for two different tours: as an English instructor and instructor pilot at the airfield. These tours enabled her to return as the Bluebards officer in charge.

“We are not just an entertainment group by any means,” Ruehl said. “Bluebards allows our future leaders to practice their leadership skills in our productions through the years. They study how human behavior works in a safe place and can then take that knowledge out into our future warfare. When I was deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom, I used the skills I learned in theater – communication, cultural awareness, and creative thinking – to develop relationships with the Afghan people.”

Indeed, Ruehl attests that creating theater is ultimately about studying the human domain, which is vital to the success of any military force. She notes theater provides an experimental space for future officers to study the human domain so that they are prepared to lead with empathy and build cohesive teams.

Caron also discusses theater and military readiness. She says theater helps cadets learn about other cultures and how people are wired.

“Jack Snyder brought up the idea of ‘Strategic Culture,’ and that’s really what we’re practicing here,” said Caron. “In future warfare, we may need to adopt the enemy’s cultural worldview to understand them and create strategy and policy. That’s what we do in theater every day. We adopt other cultures and learn how to understand the world from new viewpoints.”

See more photos of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” dress rehearsal.