A couple days after Caden “Worm” Paul took in a performance of the “Nutcracker” at the Scotts Valley Cultural and Performing Arts Center, the boy was up on the same stage himself with his preschool classmates.
Winter Zalona was one of them; just two days shy of her fifth birthday, she was costumed as an iconic snowman for their version of “Frozen.”
“I got to choose Olaf,” she said, following the show last week, confirming her satisfaction with how things went with one word: “Good.”
While Building Kidz of Scotts Valley tackles a Broadway-style show in the spring, the winter tends to be focused on the reimagining of a well-loved Disney movie for the youngest-possible performers.
Winter’s mom Lauren said her daughter kept her in the loop about how they’d had a dress rehearsal recently.
“She woke up this morning and said, ‘It’s show day,’” she said. “She got a little nervous.”
But by the time they’d arrived, any pre-show jitters had been replaced with sheer excitement.
Winter’s younger sister loved the puddles outside, but also enjoyed her sister’s performance.
“She just kept clapping,” said Lauren.
Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, a Scotts Valley resident, said her 2-year-old daughter Honor did an amazing job.
“It was fantastic,” she said. “I’m so proud of the littles.”
She was impressed with the impression the real stage had left on the kids.
“It was wonderful,” she said. “I love this new venue. It’s very professional for a toddler class.”
Michael Murray, who was there to see his 3-year-old son William, also agreed the stage was a little daunting.
“The teachers and the art directors really did a good job preparing them,” he said. “I felt they did really well.”
Felton resident Heidi Paul—Caden “Worm” Paul’s mom—agreed.
“The staff is really encouraging,” she said. “They meet them where they are.”
Dad Eric said selecting “Frozen” was a good decision, because it’s something their son already enjoys.
Nakul Mistry, who owns the business with his wife Anisha, said it took about three months to prepare for the big show.
Anisha said performances like this are an incredibly positive force in kids’ lives. Even if they end up crying or just manage to get into a costume but don’t make it on-stage, it represents helpful steps in early-childhood development.
“You can really be on the stage, to start, at any age,” she said. “It builds confidence.”
