On Thursday, April 3, the cafe of the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) was transformed into a winter wonderland for the Central Playhouse’s production of this year’s spring musical, Frozen. The 2013 animated film remains a childhood favorite for many Central students, and anticipation for the production was high. That Central’s spring musical is a time-honored second-semester tradition among students and faculty only added to the excitement.
The cast of the show, in which Anna, the princess of Arendelle, goes on a journey with her friends to locate her sister Elsa, is a roster of Central Playhouse veterans: senior Sarah Yagudayev took the role of Elsa, with senior Serah Tolchin as Anna, senior Tali Amar as Kristoff, junior Noa Shuval as Olaf, and sophomore Emily Segall as Hans. The cast and crew – many of whom have participated in the spring musical all four years of their time at Central – have found the experience of preparing and launching a full-fledged production, complete with sound engineers, directors, and choreographers, intensely rewarding.
“Every year, I look forward to working on the spring musical because I get to bond and make friends with other grades,” said junior Noa Shuval. “Through this safe space, I’ve developed the ability to share ideas for my character and really make it mine. I hope everyone enjoys the show. I can’t wait for them to see it.”
Senior Sarah Yagudayev, who played Glinda the Good Witch in last year’s blockbuster production of The Wizard of Oz, spoke to the joys of participating in this year’s show as an experienced member of the Central Playhouse. “Playing Elsa in Frozen has been an incredible experience, especially since this is my last year,” she said. “It’s been amazing to bond with my castmates and bring this story to life together. The play at Central has given me so many unforgettable memories. I’m so excited for everyone to see this year’s show!”
Central’s production of Frozen was produced in partnership with Envision Theater, an organization working throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to promote active arts learning in schools, camps, and community centers. The Central Playhouse was fortunate to work under the tutelage of Envision Theater Teaching Artist, Mrs. Mackie Saylor. Mrs. Saylor is also the current manager of Turnaround Arts: NYC, a program of The Kennedy Center and Exploring the Arts, as well as a collaborator with the NYU Verbatim Performance Lab.
“From creating choreography to painting scenic backdrops, Central students have showcased their talent and hard work on every element of this production,” Mrs. Saylor said. “The creativity, skills, and relationships built during this process will last far beyond opening night. I am so proud of them!”
The Central Playhouse thanks Mrs. Saylor for acting as a devoted director, teacher, and mentor throughout the development of this show. More is on the horizon for YUHSG Humanities: On Monday, April 7, the school’s Envision Shakespeare troupe will attend the city-wide Envision Shakespeare competition, at which YUHSG will compete, performing a selection from The Tempest.
