young people in this area the opportunity to use their gifts and learn life lessons through the experience of performing was important to her . She felt that the self-confidence , empathy , self-awareness , and poise that you learn while performing in a musical helps young people grow into the dynamic adults they will become .”
Kathleen died just before Christmas in 2015 , and her husband , Robert Smith , and daughter Amy kept the theater going to honor her memory .
This crop of youngsters , just as those Kathleen had hoped to inspire , appear to be living up to her legacy .
“ The feedback that we get is ‘ Wow ! This is Greenville talent ? This is local ?’” Tibboel remarked . “ They ’ re always shocked that that level of performance comes out of teenagers ,” said the theater ’ s producer Laura Selph . “ I think people underestimate what kids are willing to do .” The kids comprising the cast of ‘ Frozen ’ have put in time daily for six weeks , she noted .
Like many community theaters , Greenville Family Theater , too , has its share of challenges , including financial . It subsists on donations and ticket sales . Community support for its productions is vital .
“ We ’ ve never done something this time of year ,” said Tibboel . “ We ’ re really hoping the community will come out and everyone will come see us . That is always the struggle – having the funding to put on the production that matches the level of talent that is there and is what people want to see .”
Putting a strong , cohesive team in place – on a tight budget -- is also challenging . Working shoulder to shoulder with the performers are many people behind the scenes – people like set designers and those responsible for costumes and music .
“ There ’ s a whole team that goes into making a show of this size ,” noted Tibboel . Ultimately , though , it ’ s not about the money . Said Smith Hale : “ Everyone is here through a service of love .”
Learning the lines .
Having fun with the choreography .
‘ Frozen Jr .’, based on the 2018 Broadway musical , features many of the same songs from the 2013 Disney animated movie . Music and lyrics are by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez . “ Frozen ” is based on book by Jennifer Lee . The Greenville Family Theater production of Frozen Jr . will be performed Nov . 18-19 at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium .
GREENVILE LIFE 22 HOLIDAY 2022
Annabelle Brown , left , and Larissa Hyde will play Anna .