This year, CPA Art’s Middle School Musical is James and the Giant Peach Jr., and with the show fast approaching, we’re taking a behind-the-scenes look into the preparation process and how students and faculty live out their deeper calling through the Arts. 

When choosing this show, CPA Arts reflected on their purpose statement, which reads “Equipping and empowering students to engage and influence culture through authentic creativity, artistic excellence, and relationship with Christ.” With this in mind, arts faculty seek gospel-centered conversations with students through each audition, rehearsal, performance, and learning experience. An ideal theater production not only matches student skill level and challenges them to be better performers, but it also tells a story and connects with students. The 2023-24 CPA Arts season is themed “A Season of Growth and Transformation,” and features the moving quote from Into the Woods (US spring musical): “Sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood. Do not let it grieve you, no one leaves for good.” We look forward to stories of growth, bravery, resilience, creativity, and transformation this year! 

From Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, the writers of The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen, James and the Giant Peach Jr. is a wonderful tale about courage and friendship, perfect for our young actors and actresses. And so, auditions began! These auditions weren’t just about the upcoming performance, but they also equipped students with the skills, expectations, and confidence to prepare for a real-world audition. Students grew in both community and confidence during rehearsals, examining what this story means to them and how it applies to their everyday lives through the lens of the Gospel.

Amidst the quirkiness and funny moments in Dahl’s writing, James and the Giant Peach Jr. speaks to our yearning for something far greater than this Earth. As James longs to leave his home and join the band of insects, we also anticipate being reunited with our Creator. This moment in the story along with many others exemplifies a message of hope, redemption, and friendship, all of which we can find when we look beyond ourselves. 

“This show is larger than life, heartwarming, and full of music you will be humming for weeks!” says Instructor of MS Theater Kira Buell. 

Visit cpalions.org/arts to buy tickets for James and the Giant Peach Jr. Performances are September 28 and 30. We cannot wait to see you there!