A 120-member cast of young people is prepping for the opening of the Butler Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey on July 30.

Coincidentally, two of the leads in this production were in the ensemble cast the last time Summer Dramatics presented the musical eight years ago.

The lead role of Sandy Dumbrowski will be played by Skylar Ruth, 18, of Clearfield Township.

“Sandy is a very sweet, simple, girl next door. She gets introduced to girls at school who are very different from her and tries to fit in, while trying to go steady with Danny Zuko,” said Ruth who will be studying at Point Park University this fall.

The role is a huge balancing act, she said.

“I am learning how difficult it is to juggle all of the things I have going on in my life such as job, maintaining my work within the show, and still having time for my family and friends,” she said.

As for the part of Sandy, the challenges are different.

“The most challenging part of this role for me is how quiet Sandy is. I am not a shy person by any means, so Sandy and I are very different in that aspect,” she said.

Ruth appeared in this show eight years ago with the Summer Dramatics Project. She was in the ensemble cast back then and enjoys this go round and the music she gets to sing.

“My favorite song to sing is 'Summer Nights' because it is a classic from the movie and musical. But my favorite song out of the show would be 'Freddy My Love.' My fellow Pink Ladies sound amazing,” she said.

Ruth last appeared as the Narrator in Butler High School's all-school production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Sandy's nemesis, Betty Rizzo, will be played by Jessica Ortiz of Penn Township.

The 17-year-old Knoch High School senior and Pittsburgh Musical Theater pre-college academy student is no stranger to the stage, or to sassy roles.

“I think that I am confident and can be very sarcastic at times, and therefore I am at ease playing a strong female role like Rizzo because this character also has these traits,” Jessica said.

She was delighted to audition and was hoping to get the part of Rizzo.

“Grease is such a great show and when I saw that Summer Dramatics was holding auditions, I was hoping to be cast as Rizzo because I thought her character would be so much fun to play,” she said.

Jessica was 10 years old and in the show when Summer Dramatics did it the last time.

“That was the very first show that I was in with Summer Dramatics Project, and it's a lot of fun now being one of the leads eight years later,” Jessica said.

Her favorite song to sing in the production is “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.”

“It shows that Rizzo is not such a tough girl, that she is vulnerable and has feelings like everyone else,” she said.

Jessica last appeared as Heather in “American Idiot” with the Pittsburgh Musical Theater.

Playing the role of Danny Zuko's right hand man is Chase Uram as Kenickie.

“He is tough, hardworking and driven,” said Uram, 18, who recently graduated from Butler High School and will be attending Point Park in the fall to study theater.

Uram is confident that he brings to the role his musical ability as one of his strengths. “I have learned to stay in character despite distractions on stage,” he said, noting that is quite a challenge at times.

This will be his first Summer Dramatics production.

“Several of my friends have done the shows in years past. They convinced me to try out this year,” Uram said.

He said “Greased Lightning” is his favorite song.

“I love this song because it features the guys. It gives us a chance to show off,” he said.

He last appeared in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' at Butler High School.

Music director for the show is Tommy Walters of Butler, who is the director of education programs for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

“The music director's role is to teach the cast all of the music, coach singing, and to direct the pit orchestra,” Walters said.

“Obviously, teaching music is at the center of my work, but being able to plan and organize rehearsals is equally important,” he added.

Walters said his organization helps him as music director. Keeping up with the high energy of the students is a challenge.

“They are hard-working and very talented, and they have a lot of energy. They keep me on my toes and I've learned to plan rehearsals a particular way to use their energy and keep everyone engaged,” Walters said.

The show also features Chase Livermore as Danny and Waylon O'Donnell as Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel. Mandi Gilliland is the choreographer. Gordon Cavalero is directing.