IN NOVEMBER, Granger High’s school theater presented “Elf the Musical” on November 21, 22, 23, and 25 in the school auditorium. The musical tells the story of Buddy the Elf, who discovers that he’s not an elf — he’s a human. Buddy journeys to New York to find his real father, Walter Hobbs, who works in the Empire State Building. Buddy meets his father and his family and they basically help save Christmas.
The inspiration for choosing “Elf the Musical” came from Granger High theater teacher, Ms. Timpson. She said that when selecting a play, it’s important to make sure she has the right talent for the roles, and she had many students that she thought could really have fun in the roles. She also enjoys finding a challenge.
“Christmas is not a holiday that resonates with me,” Ms. Timpson said. “But I wanted to challenge myself to find the joy that others find in it, and I believe Buddy the Elf has that genuine joy for being alive.” She says that Buddy spreads joy not only through Christmas, but he also spreads joy throughout other’s lives, and that is something that she likes about Buddy the Elf.
The production process for “Elf the Musical” has been a long journey. Rehearsals began in the first week of school with auditions, followed by casting the next week. They rehearsed every day from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and then it started to get crazy as opening night approached. In total, around 100 students were involved in the musical, with characters including Buddy the Elf, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Walter Hobbs, and many others.
Damien Kroger (12) played the lead role of Buddy the Elf. He says that he had a great time in the play and that the script is surprisingly fun, with enjoyable songs. Kroger, who has been involved in theater since his freshman year, says it’s something he wants to continue pursuing after high school.
“The hardest part is the quick costume changes,” Kroger said. “But overall, it’s not hard to be in the play, it’s just about memorizing the script, which I don’t find difficult.”
Estrella Lazo Ramos (11), who played the character of Jovie, shared her thoughts on the production. “It’s really fun, we all just have a great time,” she said. She has been involved in theater since eighth grade and says that singing and acting have always come naturally to her. She also hopes to continue her theatrical pursuits after high school.
Lazo Ramos’ character, Jovie, initially dislikes Christmas but eventually learns that the holiday is about more than just gifts; it’s about the meaning of having someone there. The hardest part for Lazo Ramos was learning to roller-skate in just one week.
“If you have a good mindset and know you’re going to have fun in the play, the experience will go by fast,” Lazo Ramos said. “But if you think it’s going to be hard, you won’t enjoy it as much.”
Alex Sorensen (12), who played Santa, says the production went smoother than he expected. “It came together quickly, and it’s been really fun to watch,” Sorensen said. Santa is the narrator of the story, helping Buddy’s family find their Christmas spirit. Sorensen, who wanted to play Santa since he was little, says the hardest part of his role is balancing Santa’s joy and sarcasm.
“Santa has to be genuine, happy, and full of joy, but also a little sarcastic,” he said. “Finding that balance can be difficult.” Despite the challenges, he doesn’t think being in the play is hard. He says the toughest part is managing the schedule. “When you’re in the play, you don’t have much of a social life outside of rehearsals,” Sorensen said.
With so many talented students involved, “Elf the Musical” was an exciting production.
