Tag Archives: Anderson High School

April 2, 2025 · 3:37 pm

Anderson Theatre Showcases Disney Magic with FROZEN, JR.

Anderson Theatre’s production of Frozen, Jr. involves over 80 high school and elementary students from FHSD, including cast members Luke Patterson as Hans, Easton Gliebe as Oaken, Mary Settleberry as Young Anna, Sydney Ventura as Anna, Callie Ziegler as Elsa, Winnie LeGault as Young Elsa, Henry Weddle as Kristoff, and Solomon Mrochek as Sven. Photo by Jennifer Alessandrini.

Winter will linger in Anderson Township this April when the students of Anderson Theatre present “Frozen, Jr.” for five performances in a single Spring weekend.

Adapted for the stage by Disney from their original animated film and Broadway hit, “Frozen Jr.” tells the familiar story of princesses Elsa and Anna. Anna loves her sister despite Elsa’s inability to control her magic, but when Elsa is crowned Queen, their relationship is torn apart by fear and mistrust. Their kingdom is thrown into a magical, endless winter and only true love can make things right.

Characters audiences already love, like Kristoff, Sven, Hans and Olaf, are joined by new faces like Oaken and the Hidden Folk, while new songs also join favorites like “For the First Time in Forever” and “Let it Go.”

This is Anderson High School’s 62nd Spring Musical, and they are continuing a longstanding tradition of welcoming elementary students onto the Titus Stage. Sixteen students from Ayer, Maddux, Sherwood, and Summit Elementary schools sing and dance alongside the Anderson High School cast, including Sherwood sixth grader Winnie LeGault who plays Young Elsa, and Sherwood fourth grader Mary Settleberry who plays Young Anna.

As a special treat, several “Frozen, Jr.” characters will be available to meet and chat with young audience members after each matinee performance. The show opens on Tuesday, April 24 and runs through Sunday April 27, with matinees on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale now and can be ordered through the Anderson Theatre website, AndersonTheatre.com.

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February 20, 2025 · 5:07 pm

FHSD Film Program Thrives with Premiere of 2025 Film, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

The Film students of Anderson and Turpin High Schools are collaborating once again on a short film, building on their past experience and success. “Behind Closed Doors” premieres on March 14 and 15 at 7:00 pm at Anderson High school. The thriller tells the story of Kate, whose friend Zach has something mysterious hidden in his basement.

This is the second year that Turpin and Anderson Film students have combined for the film project, including both Directors, Turpin senior Mary Harpring and Anderson senior Benjamin Hartong. In 2024, Hartong was Assistant Director and Harpring was an actor, so their expertise covers all aspects of the process.

Harpring also wrote the screenplay. She began working on the story and script in early 2024 with both Anderson Film Teacher Chad Weddle and Turpin Theatre teacher Joey Loebker.

“I was excited to begin working with Mary,” said Weddle. “She has written things in the past for collaborative projects, and I knew she had both the talent and skill to handle this difficult process.”

This is Turpin Senior Joshua Yamaguchi’s third year composing the score for the annual film projects. He began with the 2023 film, “The Whisper House,” which went on to win a national Student Film award from NATAS, the organization which organizes the Emmy® Awards.

Tickets for the premiere of “Behind Closed Doors” are $10 and can be purchased by visiting AndersonTheatre.com or at the door before each showing.

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January 14, 2025 · 6:27 pm

Stormy Season Brings THE TEMPEST to Anderson High School

Cast includes senior Colton Copley as Trinculo, senior Adam Miller as Caliban, senior Will Cox as Stephano, junior Liberty Lamb as Prospero, and senior Addie Lutes as Ariel.

The students of Anderson Theatre have been enduring harsh weather for weeks, but not from the January snow storms. They have been immersed in William Shakespeare’s masterful play “The Tempest,” which begins with a magical storm and a shipwreck.

Cast onto the shore of a mysterious island with her mother’s court, young Prince Ferdinand cannot help but fall in love with the innocent Miranda, who has lived on the island for most of her life. But Miranda’s own mother, Prospero, is not just a mighty sorcerer, she is also a banished Duchess who has her own plans for the castaways.

The play opens the weekend of January 31st, and is Directed by Anderson Theatre Teacher Hannah Linser-Wilder. “We are creating a unique world,” says Linser-Wilder, “Prospero rules the island, but it is also filled with native spirits, led by the air spirit Ariel. Our Tempest is spectacle driven, featuring puppets, dance, circus tricks, and fantastical costumes.”

There are over 65 students involved in “The Tempest,” including 24 performers on stage and a large and skilled student crew. The set was designed by senior Maria Timmers, a special arrangement that Timmers earned through expertise, creativity, and a four-year commitment to building sets at Anderson.

“The Tempest” runs through February 2nd, with 7:00 performances on Friday and Saturday and a 3:00 matinee on Sunday. Tickets are available now, with a special discounted Senior/Student price only available before opening night. All tickets at the door will be $15. For full information and tickets, visit AndersonTheatre.com.

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October 14, 2024 · 5:37 pm

LORD OF THE FLIES Runs Nov. 1-3

AHS_Lord of the FliesLORD OF THE FLIES
Anderson Theatre in collaboration with Turpin High School
Nov. 1-3
Turpin High School [Anderson Township]

Directed by Chad Weddle

Official cast list |

A stage adaptation of the classic William Golding novel, where of a group of English school boys are stranded on an island and forced to confront not only the defects of their society, but the defects of their own natures.

  • Fri-Sat, Nov. 1-2 at 7pm
  • Sun, Nov. 3 at 2pm

Official page |

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October 7, 2024 · 5:23 pm

Anderson and Turpin Theatres Collaborate on the Musical CHICAGO: Teen Edition This October

AHS_ChicagoChicago is a legendary, Tony award-winning musical about fame, fortune and acquittal. Set in the roaring 20’s, it tells the story of Roxie Hart, a young woman starved for fame who murders her lover and ends up behind bars. There she meets vaudeville performer and fellow inmate Velma Kelly, along with a collection of accused murderess all vying for the spotlight, the headlines, and their ticket to freedom.

Made into a movie in 2002 which won 6 Academy Awards, Chicago features iconic choreography by Bob Fosse and show-stopping musical numbers like “All that Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango.” Chicago is a masterful, musical commentary on American celebrity culture. In this production—adjusted by the published for school-age audiences and performers—students from both Anderson and Turpin high schools will wow audiences with a dazzling performance that is not to be missed.

Tickets  can be purchased by visiting AndersonTheatre.com and following the link to our online ticket seller. Note that a special $10 price for Seniors and students is available during this pre-sale only: all tickets at the door will be $15.

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