In the News...

Elementary

students perform

popular musical

By Aimee Cook OʼBrien

Most children are familiar with the works

of Dr. Seuss, so when the teachers at Jordan

Ridge Elementary decided to bring his tales to

life on stage, they received a big response.

Many students from the fi fth and sixth

grade auditioned back in October for the

opportunity to be in “Seussical Junior,” a

rendition of “Seussical the Musical.” Sixtytwo

students were selected and performed

to a jam-packed audience, both during

school hours and evening performances on

April 2, 3 and 4.

“The students did an incredible job

on our tiny elementary school stage,” said

Tina Ross, fi fth-grade teacher and music

manager. “We all worked together – parents,

teachers, students and our principal,

Catherine Anderson, to make this happen.

The children loved it, and for some it has

been life-changing.”

Parents volunteered to help make simple

costumes, advertise and make props for

the stage. Others, like Denise Gull, who is

neither a parent nor a teacher at the school,

volunteered her time to choreograph and

help the students learn the dance steps.

Aubrey Vance, the sixth-grade teacher

and the director for “Seussical Junior,” performed

“Suessical the Musical” herself at

the Murray Amphitheatre in 2005 and was

excited to bring her love of theater to the

students.

“This was a really neat experience for

me,” she said. “When I teach in the classroom

I am teaching to students of all different

ability levels. Some love school; some donʼt.

The kids in the musical were there because

they really wanted to be there.”

This musical presentation was a fi rst

for the school, but parents, teachers and

students are hoping to make it a tradition.

“One of the keys to the success of this

production was the support of our principal,

Catherine Anderson,” Vance said.

“She got on board and was so supportive

right from the beginning.”

The school was able to purchase the

rights to the musical for around $500 and

because of this the students will have a

lasting memory.

“This experience was not just great for

my daughter but for the entire family,” said

Marie Otto, parent of one of the cast members.

“Since the moment she got involved,

the whole house was fi lled with fun music

and dialogue. It was so joyful.”