Article by Janine Alven
Video by Matthew Sanchez
As a remedy to our COVID blues, the Minarets drama department is here to mend our frozen hearts with a production of Frozen Jr. Auditions for the production took place on Sept. 21 and 22, with callbacks on Sept. 23. Over forty people auditioned for the musical in total and the cast consists of 36 students, 16 of them playing character roles, and the other 20 playing ensemble roles. The musical is being directed by English and drama teacher Kayla West, with the help of her backstage crew and rehearsals have already started.
Senior Erica Hafkey, who will be playing Anna talked about her audition, “I’m just really excited to be here auditioning. I don’t have a set role that I want but it’s probably between Anna and Elsa.” When Hafkey was auditioning for her role she sang the song reflection from Mulan, another Disney musical.
This musical production is based on its live-action Broadway counterpart. The show features songs from both the film and those made for the Broadway production. Frozen Jr. follows a story of true love and the acceptance of sisters, Anna and Elsa. On this journey, the sisters face danger, discover their unknown potential, and accept the powerful bond that they share.
Sophomore Nathan Crotty, who was cast to play Kristof spoke about his audition saying, “I’m going to be auditioning for the role Hans.” Crotty is using the song go the distance from the Disney musical Hercules.
The cast of the musical will consist of:
Junior Gaby Bulgara as Young Anna
Senior Erica Hafkey as Anna
Junior Abigail Campbell as Young Elsa
Senior Hazel Taintor as Elsa
Junior Dustin Chancey as Hans
Sophomore Nathan Crotty as Kristof
Senior Kayla Velazquez as Sven
Senior Jonah Ewalt as Olaf
Senior Zane Pearce as Duke Weselton
Junior Kendra Battcher as Oaken
Junior Matthew Sanchez as Pabbie
Senior Jazmyn Evans as Bulda
Senior Donovan Eniram as King Agnarr
Senior Elsa Crotty as Queen Iduna
Freshman Ronnie McClure as Bishop
Freshman Lucas Portillo as Steward
The ensemble will consist of:
Senior Jolene Anderson
Sophomore Bren Barnes
Freshman Isabella Barnes
Freshman Austin Bethel
Sophomore Seth Clark
Freshman Laura DeSilva
Sophomore John Downs
Sophomore Michaiel English
Junior Kat Havens
8th Grader Eliana Hafkey
Junior Keana Hokama
Junior Dawn Garcia
Sophomore Chance Graham
Sophomore Rebecca Kinnunen
Freshman Sky Kocsis
Senior Aidan Millar-White
Freshman Linden McDougald
Sophomore Grace Noonkester
Freshman Lila Oster
Junior Nick Stivers
The production is currently set for three performances, one on Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m. and two on Dec. 11 at both 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
With this promising cast and backstage crew as well as the direction of West, this production is sure to be magical!