For the past six years, Deb Campbell has written and directed the musical presentations at Willow Lane Elementary School. It was decided last year that this year’s production would be the sequel to the 2024 production. With input from the students, Campbell continued with the characters and the town of Misthaven in this new production while also trying to implement new characters.

“It was hard to have the script done before the casting was done,” Campbell said. Campbell spent a weekend alone in Brigantine, N.J. and completed the script. She considers herself lucky to work with the students at Willow Lane. The actors, dancers and crew put together an incredible production that appeared to be extremely polished for an elementary school production. This show went above and beyond the expectations.

Working with a budget of approximately $3,000 when she first took over in 2018, Campbell appealed to parents and the staff at Willow Lane for fundraising efforts. These efforts paid off with being able to have an operable budget of approximately $10,000.

To help raise money, basket raffles enticed guests with show-themed baskets. There was also a silent auction for props from last year’s production and this year’s production. The students also managed the “Shops at Misthaven.” Cast members sold show-themed items such as compasses, sand art and gems to guests. One parent was there early one morning restocking with her son because many of the items were purchased at the prior evening’s performance. Every dollar raised helps provide a budget for the following year. The scenery, costumes, makeup, and music for this year’s production costs were estimated at approximately $9,000. Production for a cast of 101 students is not cheap. Approximately 17% of the elementary school was involved in this musical production performed Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

The production included recognizable songs from popular artists that had the audience singing along to the tunes. The young actors embraced the humor of their characters and proved entertaining to the audience.

An original song “Just Try” was written by Willow Lane Elementary School teacher Ryan Peters and the school’s singer/songwriter club. The song was performed by Alivia Fields and Joseph Kavchok IV with instruction by vocal coach and Peters. Various groups of dancers participated using modern, hip-hop and ballet that intrigued the viewers. The production even included gymnasts who incorporated artistic, rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics into the scenes and captivated the audience.

There were even a few moments in which these young actors properly utilized improvisational skills. There were many students who appeared to be natural performers on the stage. It appeared to be more of a professional production exceeding the normal expectations for an elementary school production.

The finale included 101 elementary students doing the hand jive on the stage and in the aisles surrounding the audience. Campbell said, “It takes a village” to produce a show of this quality and that she “will miss it dearly.”

Campbell is proud of creating a production that included so many of the students who are interested in theater, vocal, dance and stage crew. “It has been an honor and pleasure to see the students grow and learn and transform into characters,” Campbell shared. While working her normal full-time job, Campbell dedicated over two months of her time being at the school four days a week to help prepare the children for this production. Campbell became involved when her daughter Kenzi was at the school. Kenzi helped her mom write the musical and assisted with the productions as stage director. Campbell’s husband, Jay provided technical support for the productions and her daughter, Cori provided the choreography. Her youngest, Jack, is in his final year at Willow Lane and is a member of the stage crew. These productions strengthened the time she spent with her family because everyone was involved in some capacity.

The hundreds of students over the past six years are grateful for the memories and friendships made during these productions. All the students appeared to be having fun while performing.

Third grade teacher Stacy Albright will assume the director duties for 2026. Currently the assistant director, Albright joined Campbell’s team helping with costumes when her oldest daughter auditioned for Campbell’s first play. “I fell in love with the entire process. I see significant growth in these students throughout the experience, which benefits them in many areas of their lives, even if they choose not to pursue theater,” Albright said. Albright admires Campbell’s creativity, passion and “turning the unimaginable into reality in elementary theater.” She noted the time the Campbell family has dedicated to the theater program and promised to strive to maintain the same level of production.

Campbell was unique in writing her own musicals for the productions. As the new director, Albright will switch to MTI Broadway, Jr shows. Her first production in 2026 will be “Moana Jr.” The cast will include about 20-30 students with 13 main roles. Albright noted the shift in production forces her to limit participation to students in third through fifth, though. Albright will be assisted by her Willow Lane Elementary School colleagues Sarah Ortega (choreography), Brianna Hoysan (vocal coach) and Katie Kingston.

The Willow Lane Elementary Theater Program would like to thank everyone who supported this year’s production including the East Penn School Board Directors, Principal Dr. Tony Moyer, the custodial staff at Willow Lane, Ron Hoysan of Ron’s Contracting for construction of the radio stage, all the business sponsors, the students and their families. They look forward to seeing everybody in 2026. A special thank you is reserved for Deb Campbell and the entire Campbell family who dedicated the past six years to Willow Lane Theater.