Dare To Dream Jr. Musical Begins At Grace Arts Live

By Nicole Matheson

Beginning this weekend at Grace Arts Live, experience the magic of live theater with a youth production of Disney’s musical revue, “Dare to Dream Jr.”

The production features 45 student performers spanning ages 8-17 and celebrates a century of Disney family entertainment with acting, singing and dancing to all your favorite tunes.

The musical follows a group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As they work together, they explore the phenomenal power of dreams through a mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics and brand new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages. “Dare to Dream Jr.” is as fun for the audience as the cast and crew bringing the dream to life, as well as being a creative force combining the talents of local kids and artists of our community.

“Dare to Dream Jr.” director and choreographer is Lauren Blain, a familiar face in Havasu’s arts circle as a performer and teacher.

“I hope the audiences experience pure joy and a brief escape from the heaviness of the world,” Blain said. “Seeing children sing and dance is pure magic and Disney music tells those stories so beautifully. This show is about reminding everyone that they deserve to dream.”

Mia McWhirter is 12 years old and in sixth grade playing one of the Imagineers in “Dare to Dream Jr.,” a character she describes as, “working on finding their dreams.”

When asked why she loves theater, she said, “Theater makes me feel free because I can be anything. I love showing everyone that theater can be for anybody who’s willing to try.” She adds that, “Everyone is talented in their own way and I love seeing that.”

Ten-year-old fifth-grader Rozlyn Terrinoni was inspired to be in theater after seeing her little sister Alice in a previous youth production of Seussical. “I also love to sing and dance. I am like my character, an Imagineer, because I have a big imagination.” She said her favorite scene in this show is … “Be Our Guest, because it is exciting and fun.”

photo courtesy of Jenna Ebert

Her sister is 8-year-old third-grader Alice Terrinoni, who shares that her favorite scene is, “Nonsense Medley. We get to have fun props and the music is fun, fast and silly.” She also plays an Imagineer, and she relates … “because I have big dreams.

Ian Riedel, age 14 Freshman in high school, is Player 11 in Dare to Dream and believes he is also much like his character in many ways. “My character sings about how it’s okay to not know your dream yet, and that trying out new dreams is okay!” He says that he similarly is, “Still trying out new things and figuring out my dream!

Samantha Reed, a 16-year-old high school Junior, said she … “always loved dancing since I was little and once I got older, theater seemed like a perfect fit.”

She credits the show’s choreographer and assistant director Alyson Chapin with encouraging her to join Grace Arts Live. She empathizes with her on-stage character of Player 3 quite a bit as …“I have no idea what the future holds for me and it can seem scary at times, but,” she quotes the show, “‘You don’t need to have one specific dream to be a dreamer.’

In addition to all the fun, there is responsibility and collaboration being taught here. Blain said that theater ,,,“is life – cliche as that may sound. It teaches compassion and empathy through storytelling, teamwork at its finest and confidence that children can carry into every area of their lives.”

The performers cite the challenges of keeping everyone safe and on task with the movement of certain set pieces that help tell the story.

McWhirter in particular said, “The funnest part of the show has been seeing it all come together this week. Costumes, mics, hair and being on the set; it’s come to life.”

photo courtesy of Jenna Ebert

Riedel agrees and said, “I’ve had so much fun during the process of this show, learning all the fun choreography and just having a fun time with all my friends.”

“Teaching theater and directing youth theater is unbelievably rewarding,” director Blain said. “I love seeing the ‘Aha!’ moments when a child nails a tricky piece of choreography or finds a perfect harmony. Watching their confidence grow is beyond amazing.”

“Dare to Dream Jr.” opens this weekend at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. There is a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Performances will also be the weekend of September 19, 20 and 21, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday matinee.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for children 17 and younger and can be purchased at the Grace Arts Live Box office at 2146 McCulloch Blvd, Monday through Friday, from 3 to 6 p.m., and one hour before showtimes.

Call 928-505.2787 with questions or visit online at www.graceartslive.com