Highland High School will present the first high school production of “Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical” in the state of Arizona as part of the nationwide competition “The United States of Frozen: Love Is an Open Door.” 

The production, featuring more than 50 students led by production director Laura Hardy, music director Katie Bortnem, choreographer Teja Trepte, orchestra conductor Craig Ghormley, and technical director Nathan Crane, opens at Highland High School auditorium Nov. 30 and plays through Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. with a matinee show at 2 p.m. Dec. 2.  

In celebration of this production, the matinee will feature special “Love is an Open Door” community activities and booths starting at 12:30 p.m.  

“This is an opportunity for our students to showcase their amazing talents in song, dance, design, and musicianship as well as their sense of compassion toward our community through this beautiful story’s message of love and acceptance for each other and one self,” director Laura Hardy said. “While being extraordinarily fun, it is also such a meaningful story about the healing power of love.”  

The United States of Frozen is a competition sponsored by Educational Theatre Association, Disney Theatrical Group, and Music Theatre International that aims to promote inclusive and diverse high school theatre programs using the theme “Love Is an Open Door.”  

Through a competitive online application process, one high school in every U.S. state and select territories was chosen to win exclusive rights to present Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical in 2023 or 2024.  

Winners were chosen based on a unique artistic vision of Frozen and a demonstrated commitment to outreach in their school and local communities.  

Highland High School is one of 52 winners selected to represent their home state. 

Based on the hit 2013 animated feature film, Disney’s stage adaptation of Frozen opened on Broadway in March 2018.  

The film’s co-director and screenwriter Jennifer Lee wrote the musical’s book, and songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez penned brand-new music for the stage. The Broadway production of Frozen is currently on tour in North America.  

Those community members interested in getting tickets to Highland High School’s production of Frozen can visit https://hhstad.booktix.com. Tickets went on sale to the general public Sept. 21.  

More information on The United States of Frozen can be found at https://schooltheatre.org/frozen.