WEST COLUMBIA, SC – It takes many hands to put on a musical theatre production. In the case of Lexington School District Two, it takes a community.
The first district-wide musical at the Lexington Two Performing Arts Center, Disney’s “Frozen Jr.,” will debut Friday and Saturday, March 28-29.
Cast and crew members in third- through 12th-grades from across each Lexington Two schools are involved with the production, including nearly 40 in the performance cast alone. The beauty, however, is that the show has brought together not only students but employees, Lexington Two alumni and community members to make it all possible, said Jim LeBlanc, executive director of the performing arts center and fine arts programming.
“Kenny Shumpert's Innovation Center construction class students assisted with forming the stud walls and stairs for the two-story set, with our Lexington Two maintenance department making multiple trips to deliver materials and equipment to the PAC. The technical theatre class from Brookland-Cayce High School assisted with building the set and painting the scenery. The musical's leadership is comprised of staff members from each of the high schools and Lexington Two's arts middle school, and we’ve got district alums helping with props design and the fly rail above the stage. Sodexo has ensured our students received snacks and meals during late night rehearsals, and transportation will ensure that around 1,000 elementary school students are able to come and see the show.”
Cast and crew have been working together since August on the production, and LeBlanc said there are definite advantages to a show featuring students from multiple schools and grade levels.
“This is a fantastic example of the community and family feel you get in Lexington Two. Many students have raved about how beneficial it is to work with peers from other schools,” LeBlanc said. “Students learn from each other just like they do in their academic settings; thus, there is a great power in allowing the younger students to learn from their older peers. But it isn't just the younger students learning from the older students. There are a number of students who are participating in their first musical or acting experience ever. The camaraderie helps us all get better. Staff members get to collaborate with each other more than they typically do and they help to push each other to even higher levels. There is also a benefit to bringing together students from different schools in that they each bring their own experiences, expertise and talents together to make the whole even better.”
LeBlanc said the plan is to continue district-wide performances in some shape or fashion, noting that it could be a district musical one year, a district jazz band another, or a district ballet. “The slate is blank right now and we have a lot of great ideas. I think there is a lot of value in bringing students and staff together to hone their crafts and to learn together.”
In the meantime, everyone is counting down to opening day.
“The talent is truly top notch and the directors, technical team, and student leaders have done a great job teaching, leading and empowering this cast to perform at such a high level,” LeBlanc said. “The community effort is just a great example of how Lexington Two is such a special place to work and learn.”
If You Go: “Frozen, Jr.”
Dates: Friday and Saturday, March 28-29
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Lexington Two Performing Arts Center, 3205 Platt Springs Road
Tickets: $15 for general public, $10 for Lexington Two students and employees (with valid ID).
Link to purchase tickets: Go to l2pac.lex2.org.
Please note: Lexington Two has a clear bag policy for events. Should you bring a small purse, there are size restrictions. Click this link to view.