Story and photos by Cecilia Mileusnic ’29
Winter Term allows MICDS to follow the Middle School motto, LEAD. All students can LEARN with curiosity and joy as they participate in classes they normally would never take. Students also must EMBRACE new challenges as they try new things. Everyone must ADVOCATE for themselves and others in ways they never have before. Lastly, students DEMONSTRATE teamwork and leadership skills as they work with other people in different grades.
In the Winter Term class Frozen Jr., students are improving their acting, singing, performing, and dancing. Behind the scenes is the Costume and Prop Design class, where students learn how to put together costumes using past and new costumes. The Frozen Jr. musical is directed by Middle School Counselor Erin Sutherlin, Middle School Dean and Drama Teacher Charlotte Dougherty, and Middle School Choir Teacher Jason Roberts. Frozen Jr. is performed by seventh and eighth-grade actors.
Emma Oesch ’29, who plays Elsa, said, “I love being able to revisit the music and story that filled my childhood with so much joy and created so many magical memories for me.” All of the actors are able to recreate their childhood by acting as their favorite characters. From Elsa to Hans, all actors can have time to show off their acting, singing, and dancing skills to their audience. Actors must embrace the challenges of remembering their lines and playing their part most believably. Students demonstrate their teamwork skills when the final production comes and they must work together to pull off a great performance.
The costume and prop design students, led by Middle School Drama Teacher Debra Mein and Middle School Art Teacher Joanne Vogel, are all on their toes about what might happen, from a dress not fitting, the sewing machine breaking, or pricking themselves with a needle. All students need to be ready for what comes.
Behind the scenes, there is costume and prop design. Ada Song ’30 said, “I love that I am able to express myself in the form of making these costumes, and it is also amazing that I am able to be part of something more than just one person or costume.” Along with these students, others are working on the set, led by Middle School Drama Teacher Mr. Tim Storey. Students demonstrate how to advocate for themselves and others when getting their materials and getting their actors to try on their clothing. Students also learn with curiosity and joy as they learn to sew, many for the first time.
Despite the time constraints from nine days to six due to snow days, the show was a huge success! Great job, Rams, on your amazing performance, props, sets, and costume design! And a special thanks to Mrs. Dougherty, Mr. Roberts, Mrs. Sutherlin, Mrs. Mein, Mr. Storey, and Mrs. Vogel for such a great production!