North Fort Myers High School brings 'Aladdin Jr.' to life for thousands of young students

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Get ready to hop on a magic carpet, because North Fort Myers High School is taking audiences to a whole new world.

On April 10, students will debut their production of Aladdin Jr., transforming their auditorium into the bustling, colorful streets of Agrabah. From dazzling costumes to high-energy choreography, the show promises all the magic of the classic story, with one major twist: it is completely student-run.

Every detail, from directing and set design to costumes and choreography, is created by students.

The school’s arts program, part of an arts magnet track that draws talented students from across Southwest Florida, produces six shows a year. Each one pushes students to think bigger, dream bolder, and take the lead both on stage and behind the scenes.

“This one is especially unique because it’s all student-driven,” Theatre Director Janelle Laux said. “And it’s also designed for elementary school kids.”

And those young audiences are showing up in a big way.

Before opening to the public, the auditorium will be packed for three days straight with more than 3,000 elementary school students. For many of them, this will be their first time ever seeing live theatre.

The daytime performances are designed just for them, giving thousands of kids a front row seat to the magic of storytelling through music, acting, and design.

“Doing a children’s show adds more of a fun element,” Laux said. “I remember seeing shows when I was a kid and how that sparked my interest. For some of these students, this may be the first and only time they see live theatre.”

For the high school cast and crew, that makes the performance even more meaningful.

Students spend weeks bringing the fantasy of Agrabah to life, starting with nothing but ideas on paper. Costume designer Scarlett Oliva said the process is both creative and challenging.

“Everyone in class had to design costumes for the show,” Oliva said. “I wanted to stay true to the original but also create something new. The hardest part is turning those fantasy drawings into real costumes.”

Every piece is sewn and hand-stitched by students, creating unique looks for each character. 

Meanwhile, the set design team is busy building an entire world from scratch.

Students like Lola Prieto and Hock are behind the scenes, turning sketches into full-scale sets, from Aladdin’s cave to the iconic magic carpet.

“We start with a piece of paper and build everything from there,” Prieto said. “There’s so much that goes into it behind the scenes.”

“It’s really a team effort,” Hock added. “This program is special because we get to design and create everything ourselves. I want people to know that we really care and can't wait for them to see it.”

The production also features a student director, Lennox Ordway, and a vocal coach, Paige Oliva, giving participants real-world experience in every part of theatre production.

For Laux, creating those opportunities is personal. 

“When I was in high school, I got to direct my first play,” she said. “I wanted to give students that same chance to follow their dreams.”

As the curtain rises, Aladdin Jr. is more than just a show. It is a chance to inspire.

For three days, more than 3,000 elementary school students will step into Agrabah, many for the very first time. And just like Aladdin, some may discover a whole new world they never knew was possible.