Cultures, Humanities, and Arts on the Iron Range (CHAIR), formerly known as the Lyric Center for the Arts, and Rock Ridge Public Schools Community Education are jointly presenting a youth theatre education program featuring Disney’s Frozen Jr. this fall.
The program is open to all second through sixth grade students regardless of school. Info sessions and role placement will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 5 and Friday, September 6 at the brand new North Star Elementary School in Virginia.
Students will rehearse for eleven weeks after school, and the program will culminate with performances at Rock Ridge High School Performing Arts Center November 21-24.
“This program and partnership with Rock Ridge has been a long time coming,” said CHAIR executive director Paul M. Gregersen. “We are incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to provide this important community opportunity. Extra special thanks to the Rock Ridge Community Education department and director Chad Hazelton for sharing in our belief that musical theatre opportunities are important for our community,” Gregersen said.
The program comes on the heels of recent successful productions of Disney’s The Lion King Jr., The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, Disney’s Moana Jr. and more under the banner of The Lyric Center. Frozen Jr. will be directed by Gregersen, with musical direction by Emily Hixon.
“Launching this joint program between CHAIR and Rock Ridge to present Frozen, arguably the most popular children’s story out there at this time, is wonderful in terms of timing,” Gregersen said. “launching our new name and mission at the same time is bittersweet.”
Frozen Jr. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production.
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen Jr. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart.
“Youth musical theatre opportunities go well beyond a regular creative outlet, they are essential for children’s emotional health and wellbeing. They provide growth opportunities for all varieties of learners,” Gregersen said. “Kinesthetic learners engage their bodies through dance, linguistic learners dive into the written and spoken word, spatial learners tackle set and costume design, and musical learners thoroughly enjoy the music.:
Gregersen said that besides being fun, musical theatre helps young people develop many of the skills necessary for success in today’s world. Including self confidence, literacy, communication, imagination, empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, community awareness, self discipline, and teamwork.
“It’s a privilege to provide these opportunities for area youth, and rewarding to experience their growth together,” Gregersen said.
Cultures, Humanities, and Arts on the Iron Range (CHAIR) is a 501©(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities pertaining to humanities, cultures, arts and education to people of all ages across the Iron Range. For more information about the Frozen Jr. program, visit chair-mn.org.
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