Tom Mizer is about to start a new job as a teacher and he’s nervous about what to say to the students. In order to calm his nerves, he turns on the TV and finds Schoolhouse Rock. To his surprise, the characters start talking directly to him and help him to prepare for his first day of teaching. That's the central theme of this year's musical proudly presented by Alliance Middle School.
A total of 23 student actors in 6th to 8th grade bring the classic characters to life in Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. as they support Mizer on his journey to becoming a teacher. The musical will feature notable Schoolhouse Rock songs like “Conjunction Junction,” “I’m Just a Bill” and “Interplanet Janet.”
“It’s a fun story that allows us to tie together the many Schoolhouse Rock songs we remember,” said Matt Horning, AMS teacher and musical director.
The performances will take place on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Alliance High School. Tickets for the performances are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. All tickets are general admission only and are available online at https://alliancemiddledrama.ludus.com/index.php. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
The performance has a run time under 50 minutes.
“It’s a great opportunity to see really talented students and still go to dinner afterwards,” Horning said.
The students have been working hard for weeks to prepare for the musical and every student that was brave enough to try out for the musical ended up part of the production in one way or another.
Performing on stage has been a major part of Horning’s life and that of his family. He’s thrilled to be able to help spread his passion for the performing arts with students at AMS. Performing in plays and musicals helps to teach valuable life lessons that will benefit the students as they get older and prepare to enter the workforce.
“The time and effort it takes to prepare for a performance really teaches you a lot,” Horning said. “There are a lot of activities where kids can slide by without being fully prepared, but you can’t do that when preparing to be on stage. Being in a performance causes you to over prepare, which is a good lesson for life.”
Along with emphasizing preparedness, performing can help to build confidence and bring students out of their shells. Horning enjoys being able to see a student who is typically shy be able to open up on stage and have fun while performing.
The production was a collaborative effort between the AMS cast and various other organizations in the district including the AHS Jetsetters who helped to teach students choreography. The AHS Construction Trades program helped to build the sets.
Community organizations also helped to bring the production to life by assisting with costumes and props– Union House Boutique, AHS Dramatics, University of Mount Union Theater Program and Carnation City Players all contributed to the production.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. Cast
Evan McMahon as Tom Mizer
Dominic Falconer as George
Brinley Mann as Dori
Natalie Eversdyke as Shulie 1
Ava Doak as Shulie 2
Andrew Horning as Joe
Reese Hays as Dina
Peyton Summers as Janet
Elliott Wilson as Elvis and Geraldo
Lylah Fountain as Soloist
Jaymes Smith as Thomas Jefferson
Natalya Jimenez as Napoleon
Addy Yost as Lewis
Liliana Elke as Clark
Isabella Schroeder as Sacajawea
Jaxson Jones as Reginald
Brooklyn Schuette as Doctor
Sophia Murphy as Geraldine
Isaiah Davis as Franklin
Eva Murphy as Congresswoman
Committee Members: Alivea Chambers, Morgan Ludwig, Jaymes Smith, Elliott Wilson
Ensemble: Alivea Chambers, Isaiah Davis, Lily Elke, Natalya Jimenez, Jaxson Jones, Raelynn Kline, Morgan Ludwig, Eva Murphy, Sophia Murphy, Isabella Schroeder, Brooklyn Schuette, Jaymes Smith, Addy Yost
Student Stage Managers: Levi Braisted and Grace Craven
Director: Matt Horning
Music Director: Heather Shive
Choreography: Senior Avery Horning and Sophomore Lilly White
Technical Assistance: Logan McGee and Zach Kinser