Lion King takes the stage

There’s a bright light in the Madison County Public Schools–the Mini Mountaineer Theater Program.

The program brings together students in first through sixth grade to hone their performance skills and put on a stage production. It was created back in 2023 as an offshoot from the previously grant funded Mad Explorers program. That program was held after school and allowed students to pursue a variety of enrichment activities. It was discontinued when the grant ran out due to budget limitations.

The Mini Mountaineer Theater Program is made possible through support from the community, school board with $11,250 budgeted for it and parents, along with donations from the Pratts Community Music Night Group, Gamma Omicron Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, the Woodberry Forest Theater and Designer Lights, LLC. Anne Brown, a caregiver of theater participants, has contributed to the program. Students do not pay to participate. Teacher Erin Mitchell serves as the director with support from Ali Allamon, Beth Dickey, Erin Moore and Caleigh-Ruth Pierson. Students stay after school twice a week beginning in mid-September culminating in a March performance.

This year’s performance was held last weekend with shows Friday and Saturday taking a packed auditorium into the magical safari world of “The Lion King Kids.” Mitchell said 67 students participated in the production which featured eight songs and numerous scenes. 

Avery Chestnutt sang her heart out as the young Simba with Willow Chandler taking on the older role. Reese Collier played a young Nala with Gracelyn Lamb serving as the older lioness. Zach Myers as Scar elicited the perfect amount of deceit in the moment that scared 90’s children with Mufasa’s untimely murder. Millie Dodson, Meredith Gore and Willow German served as his hyena henchmen Ed, Shenzi and Banzi, respectively. Savannah Kline and Lena Mitchell provided plenty of comic relief as Timon and Pumba. Rose Aylor serves as Sarahi with Quinn Morris as Zazu.

The story was narrated by a host of Rafikis, including Leah Miller, Lilly Lamb, Avery Jenkins, William McPeek and Ezra Allamon. The production was boosted by an all-star ensemble cast performing colorful styled arrangements including the Circle of Life and Can You Feel the Love Tonight. Backstage help was provided by Emma Geer, Brittany Weakley, Will Morris and Laureli Morris with sound by Nathan Moore.

“The Lion King Kids” is the third production of the Mini Mountaineer Theater. The first was “Seussical Kids” in 2024 followed by “101 Dalmatians” in 2025. The program has been so well received that $11,785 was included in the fiscal year 2027 budget to expand it, allowing for programs to be offered for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and sixth through 12th grade. 

“The Mini Mountaineer Theater program gives students an outlet to perform, build confidence, make new friends, and express themselves,” Madison County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anna Graham said. “For some kids, the arts is their passion, and I’m just so thankful we have an amazing team of teachers (Erin Mitchell, Beth Dickey, Ally Allamon, Caleigh-Ruth Pierson, and Erin Moore) willing to provide this experience for them.” 

Mini Mountaineer Theater Summer Camp will be held this summer. Rehearsals will take place June 29 through July 10, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Madison County High School Auditorium. Camp is open to rising second through 12th grade students who are Madison County residents. The cost is $250 per child with camp limited to the first 50 children. The theme is “Willy Wonka Jr.” Shows will be July 10 at 6:30 p.m. and July 11 at 2 p.m. Contact Mitchell at emitchell@madisonschools.k12.va.us for more information.