LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
PARIS—This year, Crestwood Jr. High’s theatre department will present Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Youth Edition on Feb. 14 and 15. According to Director Agnes Laughlin, the production was chosen for its timeless and uplifting story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
“The themes of kindness, perseverance and believing in oneself are especially meaningful for our students,” she said. “The classic songs and magical elements provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talents while bringing a well-loved fairytale to life.”
More than just a fairy tale, Cinderella's story imparts valuable lessons on kindness, courage and the power of dreams.
“One of the most important lessons we hope students take away is that hard work and a kind heart can lead to incredible opportunities,” Laughlin said. “The show emphasizes that everyone has value and deserves respect.”
The production process for Cinderella began months ago with auditions. Since then, students have engaged in rehearsals, focusing on music and blocking before adding choreography, props and technical elements.
“Our students have poured their hearts into this show, and we can’t wait to share this enchanting production with the community,” Laughlin said. “Costumes and set pieces start coming together in the final stretch, and we run full rehearsals to bring everything to life … By the time we reach tech week, all the pieces are in place, and the students are ready to take the stage for a fantastic performance.”
For herself, Laughlin said one of the best moments in the process of producing the musical is when she witnesses students realize, “We’ve got this.”
“Seeing their excitement and sense of accomplishment is inspiring,” she said. “More than anything, I hope they realize that their voices matter, their talents are worth celebrating, and that with hard work and belief in themselves, they can achieve great things—on stage and beyond.”
The director has especially enjoyed watching the young performers step into leadership roles.
“Whether it’s helping their peers with choreography, working on their character development,or supporting each other backstage. It’s always rewarding to see their confidence grow as they discover their own abilities,” she explained. “Watching a student finally hit a challenging note or deliver a line with perfect comedic timing is a reminder of why we do this.”
Audiences in Edgar County can watch the student’s commitment to the script and classic tale on stage at The Paris Center of Fine Arts at 7 p.m. on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15. Tickets for the production are available at the door for $10. Seats cannot be reserved in advance.
“The audience can expect a heartwarming, magical experience filled with beautiful music, charming characters and a lot of hard work from our talented students,” Laughlin said. “From the elegant ballroom scenes to the comedic moments with the stepsisters, this production is packed with fun, energy and classic Rodgers & Hammerstein charm.”