This is the 12th season that Stage Door Productions has provided a youth summer theatre program for the Fort Dodge area.

“One of the key components to making these productions a success is our incredible creative team,” said Stage Door Productions Executive Director Shelly Bottorff. “Alyssa Sparks, Megan Cassady and Emily Eastwood — their spirit, leadership and talent is essential for the success of these productions.”

The summer theatre program is so popular and so many talented youth auditioned that the creative team decided to double cast some parts so that more kids could participate in key roles of the show.

“Working with more than 100 kids has its challenges, but it’s so worth it,” said Sparks. “The kids are so focused and enjoying every minute.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The cast for “Moana Jr.” poses at a recent rehearsal at Iowa Central Community College. The show, part of Stage Door Productions’ annual summer music camp, runs July 17-19.

With so many students participating in Moana Jr., Sparks, Cassady, and Eastwood paired young students, especially those new to theatre, with older and more experienced theatre students.

“It gives the older students the opportunity to be real leaders in the community and to take these younger kids under their wings and teach them about theater,” said Sparks. “Every year we get to see the shy ones blossom over a matter of weeks and learn skills that they will carry the rest of their lives. I am very excited for the community to see the hard work of these kids. The talent in all of them is astounding. Their singing, dancing, and acting continues to evolve and grow through each rehearsal.”

One of the unique challenges of teaching Moana Jr., according to Cassady, the show’s musical director, is that much of the music is written in the Samoan language.

“It’s completely new territory for me as a band teacher to be teaching a new language,” said Cassady. “I was apprehensive as to how the kids were going to do, but they have outshone me, and sometimes even corrected me on the language. They have really taken their characters and taken ownership of them. It’s been really cool to see, and it’s going to be a fantastic show.”

“Moana Jr.” will premiere July 17, 18, and 19 at Decker Auditorium at Iowa Central Community College. Two performances will be given on July 19, including a 2 p.m. matinee and the 7 p.m. evening performance.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The cast for “Moana Jr.” poses at a recent rehearsal at Iowa Central Community College. The show, part of Stage Door Productions’ annual summer music camp, runs July 17-19.

Tickets to “Moana Jr.” are now available at Hy-Vee in Fort Dodge or online at StageDoorFD.org. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students ages 5 and up.

“Youth theatre programs play a vital role in helping young people build confidence, creativity, and communication skills that last a lifetime,” added Bottorff. “Through collaboration, responsibility, and problem-solving both on and off stage, students learn to express themselves, work as a team, and think on their feet. These experiences foster empathy, resilience, and leadership — essential life skills that go far beyond the final curtain call.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
From left, Madge Hensley, Izzam Mejia, and Lydia Bair pose for a scene in “Moana Jr.,” Stage Door Production’s summer musical. Hensley and Bair will each play the part of Moana on different nights, while Mejia, will play the part of Maui. The show runs from July 17-19 at Iowa Central Community College.”