Behind the Scenes by John Miller – November 2024
Let it go, let it go
And I’ll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand in the light of day
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway
Songwriters: Kristen Jane Anderson-Lopez / Robert Joseph Lopez
Bigger than a Minnesota blizzard in January, Frozen exploded onto our movie screens in 2013. Disney’s animated hit earned 1.2 billion at the box office, becoming the highest grossing film of the year and spawning sequels, a Broadway musical and over 11 billion dollars in merchandise sales! Now, 11 years later, Disney’s Frozen JR. makes a return visit to the Reif Center stage as over 80 students from our Theater Arts program brings Elsa, Anna and the rest of the magical kingdom of Arendelle to life!
A production this size takes an army of builders, painters, costumers and backstage crew. Kids from the cast join in to help paint sets and props. They also move the vast majority of the sets on stage. I want to highlight some of our Theater Arts students that have continued their connection with the program.
Noah Jetland, is a recent graduate of Grand Rapids High School and is currently a freshman at the University of Minnesota, Duluth where he is studying Musical Theater. He has performed in many productions as well as working backstage and interning at the Reif Center his senior year!
“I am Noah Jetland, I am 18 years old, I love music and being funny and goofy, I love learning new things and I always aspire to be better!”
How did you start doing acting/tech work for theater arts productions?
“I started acting when I was in 7th grade, my first production was Shrek the Musical! I started getting more curious about more areas of theater my freshman year of High school, where I worked backstage for some shows at the Reif. I’ve also been in the orchestra pit for the Grand Rapids Players, playing percussion for Anything Goes and the marimba for Firebringer.”
What do you like about it?
“I love acting not only because I enjoy portraying different characters than myself, I love spreading joy to others, I love seeing people’s reactions, whether it’s making them laugh or cry, giving an audience something to take away from my performances always fills my soul. I love the technical aspect of theater because it is another form of creativeness, different from acting on stage. It is super fun to have visions for scenery or costuming and make it come to life. It is thrilling!”
What are some of your most memorable shows, experiences, stories?
My most memorable show I have done at the Reif Center is for sure playing Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical JR. Playing that role really solidified for me that theater is something I want to do forever. Trunchbull is a diva and playing that role was such a blast. I have played in the pit for some shows, worked backstage, been a lead, been in the chorus. I feel like I have so many experiences in theater.
“I have so many stories about theater that if I put them on here it will take hours to read. I love laughing at myself when I make stupid mistakes, so those stories are super fun to share! If you ever are curious feel free to let me know I would be more than happy to share!”
Are there other tech jobs you would like to explore?
“So far at college I have learned more technical theater than onstage. I have learned scenic design, the process of it and how to start the design process. I have worked with lighting and I find that super awesome. I learned how to sew and hand stitch. I just finished working on the costume crew for The Importance of Being Earnest here at UMD and it was so amazing to learn that side of the show. I would love to learn every tech job and get experienced with it!”
Glen Key has been a part of youth theater productions for several years as an actor, crewmember and assistant director. He is currently a Team Leader at Target.
How did you get started in theater?
“The summer after 6th grade I was in the Grand Rapids Players summer theater camp production of The Jungle Book. Then I was in the first Reif production of The Little Mermaid JR. when Jim Cagle directed it. I was also in Frozen JR. the first time in 2019. Jim and Josh Cagle directed it and Katie Smith choreographed it. I also helped backstage with scene changes and working the flies.
What do you like about it?
“It’s fun! I like the feeling of community that you get being a part of a show. Now that I’m an assistant director it’s fun to watch new kids fall in love with theater like I did!”
Do you have any memorable roles or productions?
“I’ve been the Cowardly Lion twice, Alex the lion in Madagascar JR. and Pumba in Lion King JR. When I was a Senior I was Maui in Moana JR. Katie depends on the older students to be a leader for the younger kids and I enjoyed that. For Frozen JR. I’m choreographing the flags during Let It Go and I’ll be backstage to help keep everything running smooth”
Do you want to keep working in theater?
“I’ve taken a few business classes at Minnesota North and I plan to keep working at Target, but theater will always be my main hobby. I’d like to do more choreography and staging for Katie’s productions and maybe direct a show myself.”
Lily Stark is a Senior at Grand Rapids High School and is a member of the Reif Dance Company. This semester she is earning school credit by interning at the Reif Center.
How did you get started in dance and theater?
“I started dancing when I was four and began classes at the Reif and was in a lot of dance productions. I began acting when I was in the Grand Rapids Players summer camp production of The Reluctant Dragon. Katie often creates a dance or scene in her productions for the Reif Dancers and I’ve done that a few times, and then I played Grace in Annie Jr.
Do you like acting or dancing more? Any memorable performances?
“I think I like them equally. I like being on stage and performing, pretending to be someone else and wearing fun costumes. I like the friends you make and the sense of community working together. I have one good story! Three years ago I was helping backstage for Katie’s summer production of Little Red Riding Hood: Quest To Save The Knave when one of the kids got sick. 20 minutes before the show I was being fitted for a costume and going on stage!”
How did you get the internship at the Reif? What are your plans after graduation?
Last year I saw Noah Jetland doing it and it sounded fun. I’m interested in marketing and seeing what happens in the office. I’ve been helping on Frozen JR. too, sorting costumes and sewing name labels into them. I’m going to the University of Minnesota, Duluth where I’ll be Minoring in Dance. I want to keep dancing and acting but maybe also look into theater administration or working as a choreographer.”
These are just three of our many current and former students whose lives have been positively impacted by Reif Dance and Reif Theater Arts programs! I hope to bring you more stories like these in future updates. In the meantime, the cast and crew are hard at work bringing Disney’s Frozen JR. to life for our stage!
[Editor’s note: This article was written by John Miller, Technical Director at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids. It is part of a series of monthly articles titled “Behind the Scenes”. All of his articles are available on the Reif Center’s website at https://www.reifcenter.org/reif-behind-the-scenes/. MACT would like to thank John and the Reif Center for allowing us to reprint this article. The Reif Center will be the location of MACT*Fest 2027.]