Walking into rehearsal after school, 7th grade student Gigi Walker is met with a chaotic symphony of voices from the cast who are “ready to act but also want to talk to their friends.” Walker is playing Anna in the Barbara and Allan Topol Middle School Musical “Frozen,” which is premiering to the public on March 14 after being in the works since early January.
The performance on March 17 sold out within 24 hours of the general ticket sales, and the March 14 show has also recently sold out. Director of Arts Education and musical director David Solomon has enjoyed working with the cat on the show, and is excited for opening night.
“They are full of energy and it’s going to be a lively performance because they are such a joyful group,” Solomon said.
The cast is a medley of around 50 students who make up the cast and crew, including some who have never done a musical before. This includes 7th grade student Jake Forseter, the actor playing Hans, who joined the musical to be able to spend more time with his friends. Now, Forester has grown to enjoy his time working on the musical.
“I really just like running through the show,” Forseter said. “It’s sometimes a little stressful but… it’s good practice for the show.”
Practice, while it is fun for some cast members like Forseter, is also crucial for the smooth running of the musical. It is a chance to catch and fix mistakes both logistically and from the actors. Practices also give more time for the actors to develop their characters. The goal of practicing is to give the cast and crew the opportunity to feel comfortable and confident going into the show.
“I tell the students practice makes permanent [and] that we want to run the show as if we are performing it for the audience,” Solomon said. “We learn things every performance.”
Similarly, many actors find it helpful to practice individual parts that they find difficult. 7th grade student Gigi Walker who plays Anna practices by going over her lines and choreography to ensure “everything runs smoothly.”
As of right now, Walker feels “super excited and relaxed” for the play. She really enjoys playing Anna because she finds it easy to relate to the character.
“I like her energy and a lot of people tell me I’m as naive as Anna,” Walker said. “I feel like I understand Anna trying to have a connection with your family, and just trying to figure out the world in a new environment.”
Forseter’s favorite scene as Hans is the betrayal scene where Hans is revealed to be the antagonist and leaves Anna to die. He feels that this is a time where he can be creative with his portrayal of Hans.
“Everyone expects me to be super perfect and I can kind of just say whatever I want,” Forester said. “It sounds really good… as long as I say it in a mean voice.”
Just like how Forester likes when he can really get into character, Solomon said that this magic that comes from bringing such a well-known production to life is what makes “Frozen” so unique and worth watching.
“Teachers about 15 years ago were joking that they would hear “Let it Go” sung everyday,” Solomon said. “It’s very unique that the audience comes in knowing many of the songs, but there are new songs to the stage version that they may not know. So that will be neat to see the audience experience that as well.”
