The Middle School Musical is Back

For the first time since 1989, FWCD hosted a full-scale Middle School musical production. And what better way to reignite the Middle School stage than with the comical, heartwarming story of Buddy in Elf Jr. The Musical. With its roots in the 2003 holiday classic starring Will Ferrell, Elf Jr. (book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin) is adapted for younger performers in a 60-minute Jr. version. It retains the heart of the story, as Buddy, a human raised by elves in the North Pole, learns his true identity and embarks on a journey to New York City in search of his birth father. Along the way, Buddy’s optimism and generosity help others rediscover the holiday spirit. 

Middle School musicals were a staple in the Theatre Department between 1981 and 1989. Students auditioned and performed in The Wizard of Oz (1981, 1989), The Sound of Music (1982), Tom Sawyer (1983), Once Upon a Mattress (1984), Little Red Riding Hood (1985), The Velveteen Rabbit (1986), Cinderella (1987), and The Pirates of Penzance (1988).

“We have such a wealth of talent in our Middle School, and bringing back a musical in this division felt like a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Lindy Heath, Director of Fine Arts. “The goal is for students to fall in love with performing and continue to participate in theatre in Upper School. It was such an accomplishment for everyone involved and fun for the audience as well.” 

A cast of 47 actors brought Buddy’s story to life. The main cast included Jacob Fitzwater ’30 (Buddy); Nathalie Mae Blair ’30 (Jovie); Shepherd Hughes ’30 (Walter Hobbs); Hannah Cady ’30 (Michael Hobbs); Savannah Freeman ’30 (Emily Hobbs); and Samuel Lim ’30 (Santa). 

Additional cast members included Ishana Samart ’32 (Greenway), Emery Estes ’30 (Deb), Siena Medina ’31 (Chadwick), Sophia Muñoz ’31 (Matthews), Lili Moreno ’30 (Sarah), Tallula Celentano ’30 (Macy’s Manager), Riley Dunning ’31 (Fake Santa), Landry Moore ’30 (Police 1), Bailey Wells ’32 (Police 2), Charlie Miles ’32 (Charlotte), Kennedy Slataper ’32 (Charlie/Emma) and Kate Stovall ’33 (Schwanda/Darlene). The Elf Ensemble consisted of Virginia Bourgeois ’32, Linden Bunte ’33, Natalia Cedillo ’33, Evee Jo Fuller ’32, Wyatt Gray ’33, Clara Hatem ’32, Mila Kumar ’33, Lindsey Lewis ’33, Louise Manuel ’32, Campbell McGuire ’33, Caroline Minor ’33, Margery Motheral ’33, Finley Packer ’32, Addi Perez ’33, Saylor Grace Sisemore ’33, J Mack Slaughter ’33 and Emily Smith ’33. The Human Ensemble included Annie Berkes ’32, Odélise Charron Sancen ’33, Poppy Crumley ’32, Serena Dollahite ’32, Georgia Holt ’32, Sophia Isarraraz ’31, Camille Messer ’33, Zahraa Nehme ’31, Shirley Royer ’33, Alice Sell ’33, Martha Sell ’33 and Lucy Shaw ’33. 

Behind the scenes, the creative team was led by Sarah Slaughter Hughes ’96, with Assistant Director McCartie McPadden ’27, Choreographer Natalie Bracken ’05, and Student Choreographers Gigi Helling ’26 and Bella Rugema ’27. Fifth graders Coleman Anderson, Lillian Fornuff, Helly Hansen, Charlie Klaus, Elle Ragan, Jeffrey Smith, Quinn Wallace, and Alexander Zook, and sixth graders Milo Green and Nolan Maas, took on various technical roles, including lighting and set design, under the supervision of Technical Director Eric Tysinger.

It was Hughes’s first FWCD performance to direct. “Having grown up performing on the FWCD stage myself, I was thrilled to help bring musical theatre back to the Middle School experience. What an absolute joy it was to direct this story about togetherness!” Hughes said. “Our cast and crew poured themselves into every moment. Watching them discover new community, pride and purpose as they shared their talents with such a cheering, loving audience is why we ’theatre people’ do what we do. After seven weeks of singing, dancing, laughter and pure sparkle, the students told me their very favorite thing about the experience was the amazing friendships they built.”

Initially, two performances were planned. But as word spread among families and students, enthusiasm grew to the point that Heath knew she needed to accommodate demand. The show was performed three times between November 13 and 14, 2025. 

“It is so important to offer these opportunities for our students to create and showcase their talents,” Heath noted. “The growth demonstrated during this process was remarkable. These Middle School students did it all: they stage-managed, ran backstage, operated follow spotlights, and much more. The production also allowed our Upper School students to serve in leadership roles, including directing, choreographing, makeup and hair, microphones, and more. It was a project that created friendships and connections beyond the show itself.”