For Alexis Carra Girbés, directing USF’s spring show “9 to 5: The Musical” is more than just replicating the 1980 film starring Dolly Parton and the Broadway show. 

Instead, it’s about building confidence and grounding her cast of young performers.

This year is Girbés’ first time teaching classes and directing a musical at USF. 

The Yale alumna and former Broadway performer got her start on the big stage in college. She said she understands how her “9 to 5: The Musical” cast of around 30 people feels. 

“I know what it’s like to be in their shoes, especially when you’re going through the whole process from audition to being on stage,” she said.

With Girbés’ direction, the cast and crew will bring “9 to 5: The Musical” to USF’s Theater 1 stage in April, retelling the story of three women who get revenge on their boss in a satirical musical. Tickets are free for USF students.

Related: USF’s new music curriculum gives more freedom to students – The Oracle 

The planning for the musical started at the beginning of the fall semester, but auditions and callbacks were hosted in November. 

Around 60 people auditioned for the musical, the director said. The cast will be determined around Thanksgiving.

But preparing for a show goes beyond just picking the best singers and dancers – technical crews, costume designers and set builders all collaborate to bring the script to life.

“I’ve been lucky enough to do some of these Broadway shows from the ground up,” Girbés said. “I’ve watched the greats put them together and to see how people collaborate, or how they don’t collaborate.”

In her junior year at Yale majoring in theater studies, Girbés joined the First National Broadway Company to “tour the world” in the cast of “Fosse.” 

After graduating, she moved to New York City to perform in shows like “Wicked” on Broadway.

Related: USF becomes home to a ‘Tampa Tunes’ piano – The Oracle 

Coming to USF this year was a bit of a homecoming for Girbés, who is a Tampa native and whose mother is a USF alumna.

“I’ve always had an affinity to USF,” she said. “I feel very honored to be a part of creating anything here.”

Girbés said she has been supported in her first time teaching at USF. But it’s not been without challenges – figuring out how to work Canvas wasn’t easy, she said.

But what Girbés brings to her students and cast is more than just some homework assignments. She focuses on giving her students practical tools “to become better performers.”

“In college, I didn’t feel like I really had a strong sense of self,” she said. “I remember that feeling of feeling just completely lost, which I think is normal for your age.”

Related: OPINION: USF, make this new School of Music curriculum your jam – The Oracle 

Girbés said she is trying to be the mentor she wished she had, helping to anchor her students in “their process and their points of view.”

Each student joining the cast at the end of the month will be tasked with interpreting their character and connecting to the role, Girbés said. 

The cast is constantly working with her to analyze the relationships among the characters and how the performer can connect to their situation.

The cast will have a lot to learn, Girbés said, with several fast-changes, singing and staging.

Choreographer and former Broadway professional Ben Hartley is also choreographing USF’s production of “9 to 5: The Musical.” 

Related: OPINION: Support local USF bands – The Oracle 

There will only be six weeks of rehearsals preceding the show’s opening show on April 24, 2025.

“It’s not a long period of time, but when you’re in it, it’s an intense period of time,” she said.

Starting in March, the cast and crew will rehearse for at least four hours a day, six days a week. 

Girbés said “9 to 5: The Musical” is fun and hysterical, but her favorite parts are the slower, less complex scenes where the characters show their vulnerability, such as in the song “Heart to Hart.”

“It’s just going to be easy to love,” she said.

“9 to 5: The Musical” will open at 7:30 p.m. on April 24, 2025. There will be a 7:30 p.m. performance on April 25, 2025 and a 2 p.m. matinee and 7:30 p.m. show on April 26, 2025.