By Leah Johnston

Audience members mingling with the cast after the 2 p.m. show. Photo credit: Leah Johnston.

Families poured into the lobby of Hershey Center for the Arts as student volunteers scanned tickets, Fine Arts Assistant Tara Burgess flipped the light switch on and off to encourage the crowd to move towards the theater, and families greeted each other as they found their seats. On Saturday, February 22 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., the Middle School Theatre Ensemble (MSTE) presented Disney’s Frozen KIDS, a 30-minute musical adaptation based on the immensely popular 2013 movie. 

Frozen is the third annual Middle School play, after Finding Nemo KIDS in 2024 and The Secret Garden in 2023. Preceding the creation of the Middle School Theatre Ensemble, participation in drama from 5th through 8th Grade was more structured. In past years, the play was an opportunity for 8th Grade only, with almost the entire grade involved. In an interview with The Match, Middle School drama teacher and MSTE Director Jenny Hundley explained the shift away from the 8th Grade play. The decision was one that had been evolving for years. The Arts Department felt that the program had been outgrown: students involved had growing numbers of conflicts, and some 8th Graders felt pressure to participate even if they were not interested in being on the cast or crew, even though the 8th Grade play was never mandatory.

The ensemble sings in the show’s finale. Photo credit: @cougarsinthearts via Instagram.

Hundley believes that it is important for younger Middle Schoolers to have access to creative expression during a crucial time in their personal development. Middle School students take drama during a fine arts rotation in 6th and 7th Grade and can elect to take the course in 8th Grade. Hundley pointed out that the Middle School play is the only extracurricular activity open to all Middle School students from Grades 5-8. Hundley loves how “8th Graders become mentors” to younger students, developing mutual respect.

Rehearsals for the show were strikingly similar to those of the Upper School’s fall musical. In the Upper School, different rehearsals are dedicated to music, choreography, and blocking. During Middle School rehearsals, actors are often split: some actors learn their blocking or choreography with Hundley, while other actors rehearse songs from the show with Music Director Samantha “Sammy” Wilborn, who was hired by Collegiate specifically to help with the production. She also works with Richmond Public Schools in arts education for elementary students. When it was time for the first full run through in early February, both directors sat in the audience, ready to take notes on what could still be improved. Theatre Production Technician Gabe Yelanjian helped student technicians acclimate to their roles running lights, sound, and projections. Sue Griffin, who formerly worked at Virginia Repertory Theatre, was hired as a costume designer for the show.

Actors rehearsing “Let it Go” during their first full run-through. Photo credit: Mike Boyd.

After the run-through ended, Hundley, Wilborn, and Yelanjian gave the cast and crew notes on the day’s rehearsal. Actors were asked to project their voices more, make stronger character choices, and sing even while backstage. Interestingly, these are also notes that actors often receive in Upper School Theatre. Regardless of being at the end of a four-hour rehearsal, the group of about 40 students listened intently. The respect that the cast and crew gave Hundley spoke to Frozen’s tight-knit community.

Upper School theater students Madelyn Ford (‘25) and Faith Wood (‘27) assisted with Frozen’s rehearsals and productions. Ford and Wood both worked backstage alongside the Middle School’s stage crew to keep actors organized and help scene changes run smoothly. When asked how Frozen and other MSTE shows compare to Upper School shows, Wood pointed out that “the Middle School rehearses less and has fewer tech run-throughs than the Upper School.” Despite the challenge of having to get more work done in shorter amounts of time, she said, “the Middle School show is a great intro into theater for kids who have never gotten involved before, or want to try something new, without the large commitment of the Upper School show.” Frozen was impressive despite rehearsal time constraints and a shorter run-time.

Other Upper Schoolers who assisted with the production were Zaid Haddad, (’28) assisting on spotlight with a 6th Grade Ensemble member, and Preston Tillman (’28), who filmed the production.

Actors and technicians received rehearsal notes from director Jenny Hundley. Photo credit: Mike Boyd.

The set for the show was versatile in order to accommodate the many quick scene changes. Two platforms with built-in stairs were rearranged to become Elsa and Anna’s beds, the room where Anna is betrayed by Hans, and the living place of the Hidden Folk, known as Trolls in the 2013 movie. Additionally, a staircase unit was painted blue and repurposed from the Upper School’s  Hadestown: Teen Edition to become the stairs of Elsa’s ice castle. All set pieces were moved by actors in the ensemble or stage crew. Projections onto the cyclorama (the white fabric that light and images are projected on) helped the audience follow the different settings in the story. Elsa’s magic was particularly creative. During the song “Let it Go,” an ensemble of snowflakes took to the stage to represent the snow and ice she created. In other scenes, light and sound cues were used to mimic the effects of her powers.

Anna protects Elsa from Hans, Frozen’s villain. Photo credit: @cougarsinthearts via Instagram.

Through an acting lens, Frozen was brilliant. Both familiar faces from previous productions and newer actors stepped into their roles beautifully. Eleanor Badgett (‘30), who played Elsa, commanded the stage and filled the theater with the power of her voice during “Let it Go.” Spencer Chang (‘29) stepped into the role of Kristoff effortlessly; he harnessed his lines with graceful and natural cadence. The ensembles of Townspeople, Snow Chorus, Summer Chorus, and Storytellers (who narrate the show) managed the logistical complexities of their roles—complete with entrances and exits, costume changes, and choreography—extremely well. 

Elsa escapes Arendale, heading for the North Mountain. Photo credit: @cougarsinthearts via Instagram.

Julia Hall (‘29) reflected on the community of Frozen: “I also love being able to connect with those younger than me and getting close with them.” Hall played Anna in the show, which she said was exciting for her because it was her first time as a female lead. The contributions by every member of the cast and crew were not lost on a dazzled audience.

The Middle School Theatre Ensemble’s annual play is an important way of introducing the art of storytelling to younger students. Not only is it an enriching opportunity for those who participate, but it also gathers the greater Collegiate community to come together and see wonderful art.