This theme comes through loud and clear throughout Stage Door Productions’ upcoming musical, “Matilda Jr.,” according to Director Alyssa Sparks.

The musical will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at Decker Auditorium in the Center for the Performing Arts at Iowa Central Community College.

“It’s such a great story,” said Sparks. “Just because you’re little doesn’t mean you can’t do much. If you’re little, you can do a lot. That is one of the songs that Matilda sings.”

Based on the 1998 children’s book by Roald Dahl, “Matilda Jr.” is the story of a school-age girl who doesn’t have the best home life. At school, while there are a couple of nice teachers, one in particular — Mrs. Trunchbull — goes out of her way to make life difficult for the students.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Alivia Miklo will play the part of the Acrobat, while Eliot Naeve will play the part of an Escapologist in the upcoming Stage Door production of "Matilda Jr."

“Mrs. Trunchbull is horrible and mean to all the kids … and believes that children are rotten and revolting,” Sparks said. “Then Matilda discovers that she has these special powers and leads the kids in rebellion against Trunchbull, and the kids come out the winners.”

Sparks said the musical’s message represents what Stage Door theater is about at its core. With nearly 120 students involved, from ages 5 to 17, each has something to contribute.

“Even though they’re little, they can do a lot, and they have a lot to be proud of,” said Sparks, who has directed the last five or six musicals.

Stage Door President Shelly Bottorff reiterated that point.

“At Stage Door Productions, we believe theatre is so much more than putting on a show,” she said. “It’s a place where young people discover confidence, creativity, teamwork, and lifelong friendships. Every rehearsal is an opportunity for students to find their voice, support one another, and accomplish something they never thought possible.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
From left to right, Mary Ella Gruver will play the part of Miss Honey and Ruthie Vinson will play Agatha Trunchbull, as part of the "Honey Cast," while Kiley Swanson will play Miss Honey as part of the "Trunchbull Cast."

She said this year’s production is especially meaningful as Stage Door celebrates its 13th season.

“What began as a dream shared by my late sister, Susan Ahlers Leman, and me has grown into an organization that has impacted hundreds of young performers and their families,” Bottorff said. “I know Suzy would be incredibly proud to see over 100 students bringing this story to life. Watching these kids shine on stage continues to remind us why we started Stage Door Productions in the first place.”

Sparks said more kids get involved every year. She attributes that success to what she refers to as the “dream team” of musical director, Megan Cassady; choreographer Emily Eastwood, and herself.

“We just really work very well together. We’re really in sync with each other,” Sparks said “We have very similar visions of how we want this to work for the kids, and I think just the cohesiveness of the creative team really helps.”

The fact that the kids really want to be there is also key.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
From left, Jamie Pipal and Rhett Strandberg will play Mrs. and Mr. Strandberg, Jones Hensley will play Rudolpho, Alisyn Johnson and Stella Pingel (holding books) will play the part of Matilda, while Ted Scoggin and Camden Johnson will each play the part of Michael in Stage Door Production's upcoming musical, "Matilda Jr."

“This is a program that is optional,” Sparks said. “They are signing on to do it because they want to be there, they want to participate, and that makes a huge difference.”

Sparks especially enjoys watching the students grow throughout the summer.

At the auditions in the spring, she said kids are often a little scared.

“Sometimes they’re just so nervous to get up and sing in front of their peers or the older kids,” she said. “By the time the show comes around, everybody’s friends. Everybody is rooting for everybody else. The older kids take the younger ones under their wing. Everyone’s learning from everybody.”

Due to the numbers involved, Sparks said they’ve been able to double-cast the show, putting two on a part.

-Submitted photo by Shelly Bottorff
Emily Eastwood, choreographer, works with some of the cast at a recent rehearsal for Stage Door Production's upcoming musical, "Matilda Jr.," which will run from July 16-18 at Decker Auditorium at Iowa Central Community College.

“All of the kids participate in every show,” she said, “but some of the kids get to be a main character in two of the shows.”

Sparks said this allows students to learn both sides — being a lead character and an ensemble-driven character.

“They can learn characterization from each other; they learn tips from each other,” she said. “They can learn little tricks, fun things that they can do that they hadn’t thought of. It’s camaraderie and team work.

“People think of that as a sports thing,” she added. “Really, theater is a team sport too.”

Sparks said students also gain valuable life skills, including the ability to stand up and speak in front of hundreds of people.

“Sometimes these characters are making fools of themselves,” she said. “(They learn) it’s OK to get out there and make a fool of yourself on stage and have fun and be goofy, be this big character, and people are going to love you for it.”

Music Director Megan Cassady said double casting has opened up more musicals for Stage Door to pick from, as they can choose ones with a smaller cast.

In her 10th Stage Door production, Cassady is responsible for preparing the singers, music and sound effects, and works closely with accompanist Amy Champagne.

“We’ve been working together for six years,” Cassady said. “She does an unbelievable job.”

A little more than two weeks before the show, everything begins to come together.

“This is when we put the music, the choreography and the blocking all together and work through all those kinks and transitions and things like that,” she said.

Cassady said “School Song” is one of her favorite numbers.

“They use the lyrics to spell the alphabet,” she said. “They use certain words to enunciate an ‘a’ or a ‘b’ or a ‘c’ through the whole alphabet, which is really fun. You put choreography on top of that and it’s a really neat thing to see the kids make it their own.”

Cassady said she is enjoying working with this year’s cast.

“I think they are taking their characters and their ensemble parts and making them their own,” she said.

She said students are also enjoying the music. In some past musicals, she said at times the songs were overly familiar to the kids.

“This is completely new and exciting,” Cassady said.

Both directors encouraged the community to come out and see “Matilda Jr.”

“Just come and see these kids that have worked hard for two months on this show that is amazing,” said Sparks.

Cassady added that she hopes the community comes out to support these actors from Fort Dodge and the surrounding area.

“You’ll leave very proud of what these kids are doing,” she said.

Tickets are available at Hy-Vee in Fort Dodge and online at www.stagedoorfd.org. Student tickets are $5; adult tickets are $15.

If you go

What: ‘Matilda Jr.,” musical presented by Stage Door Productions

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

Where: Decker Auditorium at Iowa Central Community College’s Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Triton Circle

Tickets: $5 for students, $15 for adults, available at Hy-Vee in Fort Dodge and online at

www.stagedoorfd.org