Among the more than three dozen children involved in the upcoming Green Earth Players production of “Elf the Musical Jr.,” are the five kids of Casey and Trisha (Schmidt) McKenzie.
Casey is a GEP veteran, having acted in several local productions. Trisha, however, is a newcomer to theater after marrying Casey in August 2021 during the production of “The Game’s Afoot.”
“I am super excited to see them enjoy theater,” Casey said. “Most kids shrink away from anything that puts them in front of people and speaking, but theater gives you a chance to overcome that feat — no matter what they end up doing in the future, this skill of speaking in front of a crowd will serve them well in life.”
Neither of Trisha’s children, Becca and Anthony Beaner, was involved in theater before meeting the McKenzies.
In the upcoming GEP musical, Becca, a seventh-grader at Luverne, portrays Santa’s helper.
“I am hoping my daughter will hopefully become more confident in herself,” Trisha said. “She will find friends who like fine arts and who she will be able to be herself around, in turn, helping her overcome some social anxiety.”
Her son, Anthony, a senior at Hills-Beaver Creek, leans toward set building and technology, two important behind-the-scene jobs in theater.
“He said he would never be able to be on stage; however, he loves behind-the scenes,” Trisha said. “He has helped with some minor set building in the past and is excited to learn the tech booth aspects.”
Casey’s three children experienced theater at a very young age.
The oldest, Britton, is also a senior at H-BC Secondary School.
“When I was 11 months old, my dad and mom had me play the baby in Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’” Britton said.
Years later, Britton acted with his dad in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” where Casey portrayed Wonka and Britton was an Oompa Loompa.
“He has encouraged me and supported me while I tried my hand at theater,” Britton said.
Joining Britton are siblings Xavier, a sophomore at Luverne High School, and Taedra, a fifth-grader at Luverne Elementary. They portray Santa and a manager, respectively, in the upcoming GEP production.
“Both are incredibly talented,” Britton said. “Xavier has experience and he does well in just about any show he is in. Taedra is a natural. She has a decent amount of experience with children’s shows.”
Their experience lends itself to assist director Shawn Kinsinger with next week’s GEP opening of Elf Jr., which has a cast of 42 children.
“All those kids look up to and actually copy us older kids,” Britton said. “Bringing energy to a scene encourages them to do the same — all of this and showing them the ropes is what older actors do.”
Even if they are his younger siblings.
“Once in a while I have to tell Taedra to pay attention,” Britton said.