Monteagle Elementary School’s upcoming production of “Frozen Jr.” promises to thaw even the coldest of hearts.

The 60-minute program, set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, in the school auditorium, is open to the community free of charge, although donations are always appreciated at the door, said teacher Natalie Burkard, who directs it.

The school’s Top of the Rock Choir will open the theatrical performance, which features a cast of 21 fifth through eighth graders, who auditioned the second week of school and have given up their activity periods since then to prepare.

“Instead of going to art or computer lab or library time one day, they come in here and practice with me,” said Burkard, who gives up her planning time to make the production possible.

It’s a willing sacrifice for the teacher who herself is a 2002 MES graduate with fond memories of participating in school productions.

“The ones I remember were more like programs with songs from each class. They had fake snow, and I got to have my socks on and pretend skate across the stage. I think I was in first grade,” she said.

When she returned to the school years later as a seventh-grade English language arts and Social Studies teacher, she and fellow teacher Vicki Shook applied in 2020 for their first Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) Bright Ideas Education Grant, which provides for innovative, classroom- based projects that would not otherwise be funded. “We wanted to bring the program back to life as it was years ago,” Burkard recalled. “Our county does not have funds to support a theater program, so we are financially dependent on grants and donations. We’ve been given the Bright Ideas grant multiple years, Monteagle-Sewanee Rotary provided funds, and we always have a donation box at the door of our productions.

“It usually costs about $2,000 to put on a production. This includes stage decorations, costumes, and technological needs like new speakers or sound boards. I do as much and make as much as I can myself to save costs.”

Since its theater program revival, the school has done five shows: “A Christmas Carol,” “The Grinch,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

Burkard is a firm believer in the value of theater. “It gives students an outlet to be successful. Not all students are academics. I see so many students who are great kids, but they struggle in the classroom. I want them to do well in the classroom. I’m a teacher. That’s what I wake up to do. But if a kid’s not successful on the basketball court or in the classroom, I want to give them one more opportunity to find something that they love and that they’re good at.”

Headlining “Frozen Jr.” are eighthgraders Amelia Kern as Elsa and Adalyn Byers as Anna. The one-act, condensed version of the Broadway musical features the familiar hit songs “Let It Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?,” and “Love is an Open Door.”

Amelia, who’s played Cindy Lou Who in “The Grinch” and Charlie in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,’ said she loves getting to do the different plays each year. Adalyn likes seeing all their hard work practicing come together at the very end. Both girls agreed that the audience this year is especially going to enjoy Willow Lusk as Olaf, the snowman who comes to life.

Other cast members include Parker Meeks as Kristoff; Georgia Layne as Queen; Benny Sweeton as King; Linkoln Duncan as Hans; Carter Worley as Pabbie; Janvi Patel as Duchess of Weslton; Marley Tate as Bulda; Bryleigh Dyer as Housekeeper; Khloe Haynes, Hazely Brewer, and Karmyn Fults as Townspeople; Lagatha Price as Bishop; Madelyn Walters as Young Anna; Sofie Ojeda as Young Elsa; Brittney Lagos Martinez, Finnlee Roberts, and Alaina Hampton as Snowpeople; and Harper Brewer as Sven.

The cast will perform for their classmates on the morning of Nov. 16 followed by the community show that evening.

“We are blessed with the original auditorium of the school,” Burkard said. “Our students get to experience what a true audience looks and feels like. Our auditorium, especially the seating, is in desperate need of an upgrade, and we are currently exploring more grants to try to make that happen.”

Because the school’s theater program is completely based on grants and donations, her biggest fear is that they will eventually run out of funding. She hopes that never happens because, to her, the value of a school theater program is immeasurable.

“I have seen so many students over the years open up and change from a shy, withdrawn student to wide-eyed and outgoing on stage. That’s what it’s all about.”