Greensburg Salem Middle School prepares to stage ‘Frozen Jr.’
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Conveying emotion from a high school stage out into the audience is already a tricky task. When your head is trapped inside a snowman’s mouth, it can be even trickier.
“The way the head is can make it tough,” said LeTrey Derry, 13, who will play living snowman Olaf in Greensburg Salem Middle School’s production of “Frozen Jr.,” which opens Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the school on North Main Street. “Sometimes I fumble on how to show his emotions.”
But for the cast of about 40 students, any difficulty memorizing lines or nailing choreographer Maurissa Auer’s dance steps pales in comparison the joy of bringing a live theater experience to parents and district residents for the first time in two years.
“Just getting to do this has been a real blessing,” said director Melanie Callas. “Two years ago we were sent home four days before opening night of ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ ”
For seventh grader Anna Sybesma — conveniently playing the role of Anna in the show — the focus is on her lines.
“One of the hardest things was trying to make sure I’m acting onstage and getting my lines right,” she said. “I’m a better dancer (than actor), so it was a lot of fun learning all the choreography.”
Callas double-cast the twin lead roles of Anna (Sybesma and Laila McDade) and Elsa (Magee Heverly and Veta Scherff), with each actor performing two of the four nights.
Heverly, 13, said she enjoys being onstage with her friends.
“It’s great getting to act together as one big happy family,” she said. “I’m a competitive dancer too, like Anna, so it’s a lot of fun learning the dances.”
For eighth grader Raymond Yurko, the dancing is a little more work.
“I’ve never danced before,” said Yurko, 13. “Acting with emotion is a lot easier for me than the dancing.”
Callas said that she, along with Auer, co-director Alaine Nativio and lighting designer Jim Shomo, is looking forward to opening night.
“Everyone will be able to come and see their favorite characters from the movie,” she said. “I’m so proud of the kids’ energy and all the work they’ve done in order to be able to pull this off.”
“Frozen Jr.” will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, at the middle school, 301 North Main Street in Greensburg.
Tickets are $7 for reserved seats and $5 for general admission. They are available 90 minutes before the show at the door.
More details are on GSMS.greensburgsalem.org.