Maple School Delivers 'Newsies Jr.' For Spring Musical In Northbrook

NORTHBROOK, IL — It was quite the production last week for the annual spring musical at Northbrook's Maple School. Nearly 100 students were involved on stage and behind-the-scenes for Disney's "Newsies Jr.," according to Northbrook/Glenview District 30.

The musical was directed by Jamie Holmer, Maple’s library media specialist, who serves every spring as the show's artistic director, producer and choreographer. All students were invited to try out last November, regardless of prior stage experience. In the end, 45 cast members and 42 crew members were selected.

"The goal of the program is to provide an inclusive musical theater experience for all interested Maple students," Holmer said. "We are trying to foster confidence, self-expression, creativity, collaboration and teamwork."

According to the district, the cast met four days a week while the creative crew, video crew, running crew, and tech crew supported them behind-the-scenes. The group staged five successful performances for the community and fellow students in Northbrook/Glenview School District 30.

The next theatrical production at Maple will be Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” during the District 30 summer school program that begins in June.