Chester Academy puts on production of Elf Jr. The Musical - performances this weekend!

Chester Academy Drama Club members were singing and dancing in the auditorium all day on Wednesday, preparing for their performance of Elf Jr. The Musical. Shows will be running on Friday, November 15  and Saturday, November 16, 2024. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets could be purchased by following the link here. 

Elf Jr. The Musical is an adaptation of the movie "Elf," starring Will Ferrell. The musical tells the story of Buddy, who was raised at the North Pole by elves, only to discover that he is human and not an elf. Buddy then travels to New York City to find his father, Walter Hobbs.The play takes audiences through a Christmas journey about the joy of being with loved ones during the holidays. 

The play stars freshman Liam Peterman as Buddy the Elf, freshman Joseph Veltri as Walter Hobbs, junior Yamilet Lopez-Cortez as Jovie and seventh grader Owen Peterman as Michael. 

“I’m super excited to finally have a main role because that means I can help guide the new people coming to theater; have them find their own passion, who they are, especially on stage,” said Yamilet. “It’s so rewarding because at least I’ll know that even after I’m gone, there’ll be people who understand and love the theater as much as I do and it’ll continue on until time ends.” 

Extracurricular activities such as the drama club provide valuable learning experiences that students can apply in and out of the classroom. It allows students to develop social and problem-solving skills, help build their self confidence while expressing themselves creatively and helps them with discipline and time management. 

“They (the cast) learn so much about negotiating, planning, overcoming obstacles, working together, collaboration; things that they can apply to every class, regardless of what the actual subject is,” said Chris De Lao, eighth grade teacher and drama club advisor for Chester Academy. “They learn how to work as a team and develop confidence in themselves, which is the key piece. In terms of public speaking, overcoming fears of presenting in front of an audience and learning how to come into their own; there’s no area that doesn’t benefit from artistic presentation like that.” 

Tickets for the musical are $5.00 for students and $10.00 for general admission. Purchase tickets for Elf Jr. The Musical by clicking the link here. 
 

Click here to view the gallery from the dress rehearsal!