Photos by: Sam Franz
Cedar Hill Elementary School helped bring a district-wide musical to the stage this winter. THE LION KING JR was performed by eighteen students from the five elementary schools in the Montville Township Public Schools district. All roles were performed by students in grades two through five. The unique program provided a strong theatrical “team” for elementary students district-wide.
Working with StageWorks 237, the Cedar Hill Home and School Association sponsored the outstanding production. THE LION KING, JR. was performed by the elementary students from February 9 through 11. The performances were held at the StageWorks 237 Theater in Pompton Lakes, NJ. The eighteen elementary students performed four shows in three days. All four performances of THE LION KING JR. production, in the StageWorks 237 black-box theatre, were sold out.
“StageWorks 237 is a theater group out of Pompton Lakes. They have a program where they partner with local school districts to put on musicals, and theater classes,” said Caroline Bucci, Cedar Hill Parent and HSA Co-President. “I went to see a few of the children’s shows at their home theater and was blown away by their professionalism, costumes, set design, and ability to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment for the kids.”
Bucci, who chose LION KING, JR because of the ensemble nature of the Disney favorite, explained that the students auditioned by singing, reading short scenes from THE LION KING JR, and learning a short dance number.
During the 2022-2023 school year Bucci and the Cedar Hill HSA, with the support of Cedar Hill Elementary, piloted the program with a musical review. Known for their quality production values, Stageworks 237 does everything from holding the auditions and conducting rehearsals, to facilitating tech week, and running performances.
“They hold the kids to a very high and professional level of standards,” Bucci said. “And the kids always deliver.”
Last year’s pilot program was so successful that Bucci and the HSA, with the assistance of the Cedar Hill Elementary School administration and community, decided to open the entire program up to all five elementary schools in the Montville Township Public Schools district.
“Cedar Hill Elementary school Principal, Dr. Michael Raj, was instrumental in bringing THE LION KING, JR. to life,” Bucci noted. “He could see the bigger picture and was so supportive of the program.”
Bucci and the HSA at Cedar Hill plan to continue to grow this theatrical initiative for years to come.
“I am so proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time," Bucci said. She explained that parents have noted the enthusiasm with which their children approached school and other activities while preparing for THE LION KING JR.
“People approach me thanking me for giving their child a home to be themselves because they don’t play sports,” Bucci added. “It’s so much bigger than a ‘performance.’"
According to the American Alliance of Theater and Education, theatrical productions provide many benefits to students including increased reading comprehension and communication skills, lower absenteeism, and improved self-confidence.
Montville Township Public Schools has been recognized nationally for eight consecutive years as an “Outstanding Community for Music Education.” This recognition has been awarded by the National Association of Musical Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
Bucci and the Cedar Hill HSA have already begun preparations for the 2024-2025 district-wide production.
Once cast, students and their families do pay a fee to participate in the Stageworks 237 production. In an effort to reduce costs, and provide space for more audience members, Cedar Hill and the HSA are looking towards securing a bigger theater, such as the Montville Township High School auditorium, as a possible venue for next year’s production.
“This is a labor of love. I would like to secure the dates, and choose the show to begin advertising auditions for next year as soon as possible,” Bucci explained, “so families can plan accordingly. The feedback and support received from this year was tremendous.”