Aladdin Jr and the amazing Mike Butler

I love theatre and can honestly say I have since I was a toddler. Childhood friends can tell you about the hours we would spend on weekends acting out my favorite movies. Becoming someone else and engaging in their emotion and personality always fascinated me. I was even more impressed with the acting ability of others.

All 3 girls have been in plays. Caile and Ella in particular have participated in Centrestage Theatre camps for years as well as any school production that they could. When Aladdin Jr was announced Ella was beyond excited. Trying to make a production schedule work with her dance schedule especially during competition season is not easy though. She was asked very early on to do some choreography with her friend Kirsten for the play. I also volunteered to help in any way, but we had to work around dance. I sent in all the dates of the dance competitions for both local studios and the school / directors were amazing. Ella could do both, so she tried out for a part!

I was more than excited that she was chosen for Genie! Ella loves the stage and I knew once she allowed herself to become comfortable up there within her role, it would be amazing. I can definitely say that I could watch her on that stage all day. She loves it and has so much fun. I am sure anyone watching can see that!

I started coming to the school in late February and I was there for every practice onward that the kids had. Ella and I spent extra time at the school helping Aladdin & Jasmine learn their song, time sorting through costumes with the Director Mike Butler, not to mention a full set weekend. The hours that go into a production I think are understood by few. There is so much time involved even outside of the practices finding props & costume pieces, communicating with parents, social media advertising and coordinating all of the small things that go into creating an amazing show.

I have volunteered to help with a number of plays in the past, but this was the biggest role I had during any play and it was by far the most fun I have ever had. I worked with the amazing Mike Butler who I had never met before the production. He has definitely become one of my favorite people. He is so organized, with an incredible clear vision, passion for theatre and he was incredible with the kids. His talent in all areas of acting and directing are simply mind blowing! The kids had so much fun because of him and his love for theatre. I wish I would have recorded the chanting /cheering right before a show to get everyone pumped up. He has so much talent and I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity both Ella and I have had to work with him. He brought back that child in me that could spend hours acting and daydreaming about the stage. Thank you Mike! You will never understand how much the last 4 months have meant to me!

• 

• 

• 

Freda Larade was the other producer as well as Mike Nelson the Musical Director. These two spend their days teaching children and then they turn around and spend their free time with the kids as well giving so much of themselves. Long days away from their own families, dedicating time to helping these children grow. I am so thankful for both of these people and the friendships that have been formed because of Aladdin Jr!

• 

• 

I am also very thankful for my incredibly patient family and friends that have seen me a lot less, especially in the last few weeks before the play. I love that you all support anything that I do and it made my heart happy to see how many of our family, friends and church family came out to see this production. All of my children, Sandy, Tif & my nieces helped in many ways, especially when it came time to create the set. I am grateful that Alex dedicated her talent to painting the scenes and the many hours it took to make it all come alive.

• 

• 

• 

I am not sure what I will do with my time now that Aladdin Jr has come to an end, but I can promise that if I ever have the opportunity to work with these 3 amazing people again, I will jump at it. Thank you all the laughs, the friendship and the amazing last few months!