Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Adam Steffan, theater director behind Tosa West's 'Frozen' musical

 

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Right now, Wauwatosa West High School just wrapped up a sold-out opening weekend of the Disney musical, Frozen.

Tosa West is the only high school in the state chosen to produce the show. Adam Steffan is the theater director. He inspired his students and the entire community by bringing Frozen to the stage.

"Let it go, let it go," sang the Frozen cast, two weeks before opening night.

"Ok, good. Time out," yelled theater director Adam Steffan.

Leading up to opening night, timing is everything.

"Five, six, enter now. One, two, three, four," Steffan counted.

He is counting down the moments until show time.

"Long rehearsals! Long nights, but it's fun," he exclaimed with a big smile.

"We are, your majesty," recited a student. "Louder! We are your majesty! Oh, even better," Steffan called from the front of the stage.

This rehearsal is in the final weeks of a year-and-a-half journey.

"I'm calling it my Frozen era! Our Frozen era! It seems like it's been going on forever," Steffan said.

Wauwatosa West was the only high school in Wisconsin chosen to produce the Disney hit, by winning a nationwide contest.

"I think Tosa West theater is a good example of what can happen when theater programs, performing arts, are supported so well by our principal and our superintendent," Steffan said. "I'm a product of the school district, so it's kind of - it's cool, no pun intended, to be back here."

Steffan has been theater director at Tosa West for 12 years.

"Now, where's our focus?" he asked the cast.

And he wasn't about to let it go when it came to this opportunity.

"The magic! There's a lot of things we have to figure out," he explained. "How does Elsa's dress transform? How do we create ice on stage?"

It's a huge production, with 43 kids on the stage. Students working on production, costumes, and more.

"It's about 10% of our student body," he said with pride. "Big production values, incredible lighting, sound. The whole nine yards."

That's led to massive community excitement.

"Our entire run is sold out," he announced to the cast, to loud cheers.

Eight shows, nearly 7,000 people filling the seats, all sold out before opening night on Nov. 10.

"We want to put on a better show because these people want to come see us," said junior Faye Muma, who plays Queen Elsa. Junior Ceili Callahan is Princess Anna.

"She's very, like - very dependent on herself, and she puts a little too much trust in herself sometimes. She's really goofy," Callahan said of her character.

Of course, they remember the movie from when they were little.

"So, I was six when Frozen came out," Muma said. "And my mom said I watched it over and over and over again."

Callahan agreed.

"We all kind of grew up watching it. And so, I feel like it's very, like a full circle moment," she added.

Both credit Mr. Steffan for the magic on stage.

"I can't even fathom putting the plans that he puts together. It's just beyond what a lot of people can do," Muma said.

"He's so fun, very funny. Lots of energy, but also very professional," Callahan said.

So much energy - Mr. Steffan is hoping to take this production to the International Thespian Festival next year. They'll find out in January if they're selected.

"I'm always thinking about the next thing. I think the students are the thing that keeps giving back, and they show up and they are ready to rock," he said.

And that keeps bringing people together in perfect harmony.

"You know, 12 years ago, I walked through the door and I'm still here. I still love it," Steffan said.

Wauwatosa West has another weekend of sold-out shows, starting Nov. 17.

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].