Thompson High School to debut ‘Frozen’ as first in Shelby County

Story by: Madison Smith

ALABASTER, Ala. — One Shelby County high school is taking center stage this spring with a production that is breaking new ground.

At Thompson High School, theater director Hannah Jane Sizemore, a University of Montevallo alum, is leading students in a production never before performed by a high school in Shelby County: “Frozen the Broadway Musical.” The show marks a milestone not only for the school, but for student theater programs across the area.

“Right now we are currently in rehearsals for ‘Frozen the Broadway Musical,’” Sizemore said. “What is really cool about this show is that we are the first high school in Shelby County and in our area to produce this show. This is the first time that people in our area will see this show done by a high school.”

Sizemore, who graduated from Montevallo in 2016, was a BFA Musical Theater major during her time there, participating in College Night on the Gold Side and making an impact in just two years. Her brief but meaningful experience at Montevallo helped shape her approach to teaching and directing, emphasizing collaboration, risk-taking and dedication.

In the weeks leading up to opening night, students are spending hours rehearsing lines, blocking scenes and fine-tuning vocals. But beyond memorization and musicality, the rehearsal process is about growth.

Each run-through builds confidence and discipline, while students learn to rely on one another both on and off the stage. From ensemble numbers to solo performances, the production demands collaboration, focus and trust.

For Sizemore, those moments reflect her own experience as a theater student at Montevallo, where the lessons she learned extended far beyond performance and continue to shape how she teaches today.

“That every day is an audition…every day somebody is watching you,” Sizemore said. “Every day, someone is looking to see what you can do and what you can bring to the table.”

She also encourages students to take risks and embrace failure as part of the learning process, especially during rehearsals.

That every day is an audition…every day somebody is watching you,” Sizemore said. “Every day, someone is looking to see what you can do and what you can bring to the table — Hannah Jane Sizemore, Thompson Theater Director.

“Go big and fail now rather than fail onstage,” Sizemore said. “Do something big in the rehearsal room so I can see if it’s going to work compared to doing it on opening night in front of a sold-out audience.”

As opening night approaches, Sizemore hopes audiences will not only enjoy the performance but also recognize the work and dedication behind it, and the significance of bringing a production like “Frozen” to a high school stage for the first time in the area.

Thompson High School’s production of “Frozen the Broadway Musical” will run April 23-25 at 7 p.m. in the Thompson Performing Arts Center, offering audiences a chance to see Sizemore’s Montevallo training in action.