Staff Writer
NEW SWEDEN — On Jan. 25, the New Sweden School gymnasium was transformed into a magical kingdom far, far away as the school’s students put on a production of “The Princess and the Pea.”
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
From left, Wizards Noah Margeson, George Ferland and Austin Findlen; Musicians Nicolas Alfaro, Calvin Mockler and Tanya Butterfield; and Cooks Lance Lagasse, Nicholas Margeson and Gabriella Anderson pose for photographs after their entertaining performance in “The Princess and the Pea” at New Sweden School on Jan. 25. Please turn to page 2 for additional photos and story.
The play was a Children’s Stage Adventures production, in which a two-member acting team arrived in New Sweden on Tuesday, worked with the students and faculty for four days, and then put on two showings of the play on Friday.
Children’s Stage Adventures is a non-profit organization created for the purpose of enriching children’s lives through participation in a live theater experience. Founded by Rob and Lorrie Gray of New Hampshire in 1999, the company has worked with over 10,000 children in the United States and Canada.
The two actors who worked with the New Sweden students were Nicole Jones and Kyle Aarons.
This is Jones’ third tour with CSA. The actress grew up in Windham, New Hampshire, and recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BA in theater.
Aarons is participating in his second year with CSA, and the New Sweden production of “Princess and the Pea” was his fourth show with the company. He grew up in McKean, Penn., and is a 2011 graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a BFA in musical theater.
“It’s always a great experience to have Children’s Stage Adventures here,” New Sweden Principal Laurie Spooner commented about the play. “The kids have a lot of fun and do a great job.”
While in town for the play, Jones stayed with Ernie and Nancy Easter, and Melanie Lagasse put up Aarons.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
New Sweden School students, from left, Preston Rothlauf, Angela Butterfield, Tifini Lee, Jordan Sandstrom, Kolby Fisher, Evan Margeson, Mikaela Spooner, Ethan Edgecomb and Kendra Furber enjoy the spotlight after performing “The Princess and the Pea” at the school on Jan. 25.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
The “wrong” princesses, from left, Amalla Peterson, Angela Butterfield, Tifini Lee and Kendra Furber, ponder how to capture The Prince’s attention during the New Sweden School’s performance of “The Princess and the Pea” on Jan. 25.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
Ladies in Waiting, from left, Anastacia Hearn, Johnna Grant, Alyssa Howe, Arianna Easter, Maya Peterson, Kamie Fisher and Emily Gendreau, pose for photographs after their performance in the New Sweden School’s production of “The Princess and the Pea” on Jan. 25.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
Children’s Stage Adventures actor Kyle Aarons, far left, leads students at New Sweden school in a song during their performance of “The Princess and the Pea” at the school on Jan. 25.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
From left, The King, Trevor Hill, The Prince, Aidan Brown, and Princess Wright, Kristyn Maley, pose during a photo op after their performance of “The Princess and the Pea” at New Sweden School on Jan. 25.
