Stage Door Productions, the local theater company dedicated to growing young performers, is warming up for its upcoming production of Disney’s “Frozen Jr.”

Anyone who thinks they know the story of “Frozen Jr.” just might be surprised at the twists and turns in this beloved story as Stage Door Productions brings its own version to Decker Auditorium on the Iowa Central Community College campus this week.

Performances are slated for 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $15 each, $5 for students ages 5 and up, and can be purchased at the door or in advance at HyVee and online with the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association.

Alyssa Sparks is back as director, with Megan Cassady as music director and Emily Eastwood as choreographer.

From left, Abigail Casciato and Ella Champagne bring the characters of Elsa and Anna to life in the upcoming production of Frozen Jr. at the new Decker Auditorium on the Iowa Central campus.

“We are really excited about the play and definitely so happy that it’s all happening at the new Decker Auditorium,” Sparks said.

For the first time, the young actors of Stage Door Productions are able to rehearse and perform in the same venue. Previously, rehearsals were held in a local church and then moved to the performance site the week of the show. Being able to use the new Decker Auditorium is a huge plus for children to start learning their marks and feeling comfortable on a very large stage.

Sparks is juggling perhaps the biggest cast to date in “Frozen Jr.” Last year’s production of “Madagascar” had 80 kids, but this year the total cast number is pushing nearly 100 young actors, ages kindergarten through high school seniors.

For Sparks, a veteran of the director’s chair, she makes it look easy as she leads kids through a night of rehearsals.

“We always look for shows that have big casts because then we have the potential to get a lot of kids involved,” Sparks said. “We wanted something that the kids would have fun with, and that the community would recognize and enjoy.”

In the brand new Decker Auditorium, these young actors are getting a taste for theater at its finest.

“It’s awesome to practice where we will be performing,” Sparks said. “The first night, some of the kids were looking around and it was like, this is the biggest space they have ever been in. They are definitely excited to be here.”

As for the actors, a stellar lineup of veterans and newcomers are working to bring “Frozen Jr.” to life for local audiences.

Ella Champagne stars as Anna, Princess of Arendelle. It’s a role long in coming for this veteran of community theater who is a senior at Fort Dodge Senior High. She seems to understand very well the philosophy put forth by the Bottorff sisters when they first began Stage Door Productions. For Champagne, having learned some of the ropes of community theater, she finds great reward in being able to help teach those coming up behind her.

“This will be my eighth show with Stage Door Productions,” Champagne said. “I really enjoy that I’ve grown up doing plays, and now I’ve come to the time when I’m first in line as one of the older ones, and I get to help all the younger ones. Someone did that for me, so now I get to pass it on.”

Opposite Champagne is Abigail Casciato as Elsa. As the older sister, Princess Elsa is next in line to the throne of Arendelle. It’s a challenging life for Elsa, and one that Casciato is having great fun bringing to life on the local stage.

Also a senior at Senior High, Casciato has been in at least eight shows with various local production companies.

“I’m really having fun working with all the different ages in this particular play, and I’m so proud of the younger ones because they are all really hitting their marks,” Casciato said.

The play is unique in that it casts three different actors for each of the princesses, reflecting the characters at different ages. Sparks had praise for the actors at every age group for the way they are forming a seamless transition as one actor takes over for the next as the character grows up.

Henry McCubbin starts it off portraying Young Anna. Isabella Baker steps in next as Middle Anna, followed by Champagne as the lead Anna.

For Elsa, Stella Pingel kicks off the show as Young Elsa. Kinley Auten is up next as Middle Elsa, followed by Casciato as the lead Elsa.

Kristof is an ice harvester by trade with a natural gift for sarcasm. Kyle Peterson, a sophomore at Fort Dodge Senior High, is having great fun with the part.

“I didn’t have to learn a bunch of lines,” he said with a grin.

Kristoff’s loyal friend is Sven, “a reindeer with the heart of a Labrador.” Drake Wertz, another senior at Senior High, takes on this fun-loving role.

“I get to hang out with all my friends,” Wertz said, in true Sven-like fashion.

Leif Hamilton, a junior at Senior High, is very happy to be playing Olaf. If it’s possible for a snowman to have a warm heart, Olaf has it.

“He’s a very comical character,” Hamilton said. “I feel like I can have fun on stage with this character.”

Owen Hamlo takes on the role of Hans. A junior at FDSH, he’s been in as many as 10 shows over the years.

“I like that theater allows me to express myself in a show,” Hamlo said. “Helping out with the little kids is really making this play a fun one.”

When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday 

Where: Iowa Central’s Decker Auditorium, Triton Circle

Tickets: $15 each,

$5 for students ages 5 and up, available at the door or in advance at HyVee and online with the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association.