06/02/2026
Neewollah Generalissimo Cody Dixon has officially announced the 2026 Neewollah musical: Frozen: The Broadway Musical. The production will be directed by Lisa Paige, with Kelli Ebert and Jennifer Lasater serving as producers.
Lisa Paige has called Independence home since 1989, though she was born and raised in Emporia, Kansas. She currently serves as Assistant Principal at Eisenhower Elementary after spending 25 years teaching kindergarten.
Neewollah has been a significant part of Lisa's life since 1990 when she was cast in the chorus of the musical. While she loves every aspect of the celebration, her favorite part is the unique feeling Neewollah brings to Independence, she specifically loves being able to walk down the middle of the street and see friends and kids from school. Over the years, Lisa has devoted countless hours to Neewollah, serving as Generalissimo in 2014, a board member for 11 years, and participating in 30 musical productions as a cast member, choreographer, producer, or director. She is currently directing her 14th Neewollah musical and has also served as Queen's Pageant Director, Coronation Co-Chair and Stage Manager, Talent Co-Chair, and Neelah Debs Co-Chair.
Beyond Neewollah, Lisa is an active member of First Presbyterian Church and the Diversity Task Force. Her dedication to education and the arts has earned her recognition as a Master Teacher in 2009 and recipient of the Margaret Goheen Award for Contributions to Community Theatre in 2005. Lisa is also the founder and Artistic Director of Independence Children's Summer Theatre, which celebrates its 22nd season this year. She will direct Newsies Jr. June 26–28.
Kelli Ebert is a lifelong resident of Independence, where she has deep roots in the community she proudly calls home. She serves as a Parish Administrator and paraprofessional. Neewollah has been a constant in Kelli’s life, and her involvement spans decades of service and leadership. She values the way the community comes together each year to make the festival a success. Kelli’s Neewollah journey began as a Neelah Deb in 1985. She has contributed to the musical in many capacities, including sets and stage crew, stage manager, assistant director, producer, costumes, and props. Beyond the musical, Kelli has been actively involved in numerous other areas of the festival, including the Queen’s talent and coronation committees, serving as Coronation co-chair and Kiddie Parade co-chair. She is currently in her ninth year as a Neewollah Board member and has served three years as Board Chair.
Jennifer Lasater has been part of the Independence community since 2019, when she moved from Mason City, Iowa. She works as a preschool teacher with TriCounty and USD 446. Neewollah has been an important part of Jennifer’s life since her family arrived in Independence. Her daughter participated in the festival’s musicals each year until leaving for college, which helped spark Jennifer’s own deep involvement. Over the years, Jennifer has contributed behind the scenes in numerous ways, including working backstage, serving on the flyer team, helping with costumes, and coordinating children for the musical productions. Her favorite parts of Neewollah are, without a doubt, the musical and the food, two traditions she looks forward to every year.
Auditions for Frozen: The Broadway Musical will be held June 30, July 1, and July 8 at Memorial Hall. Individuals interested in auditioning or serving on a production committee are encouraged to complete the audition form that can be found on Neewollah’s page or at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWdFvgAiNa1PK4YglyWdW7TfTeuPUE2oXZJ6fAFox6Nx1YTQ/viewform
A variety of opportunities are available for performers. Adult roles are open to high school students and adults and include both singing and non-singing roles, as well as chorus positions. One or two roles will require performers to manipulate puppets as part of the production.
The show will also feature a small children's ensemble portraying the Hidden Folk Chorus. Auditions for this group are open to students who have completed second grade through middle school. In addition, there are two girls' roles available for performers ages 8–12.
Performances of Frozen: The Broadway Musical will take place at Memorial Hall on Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, at 7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on October 25 at 2 p.m. For more information about Neewollah events and activities, visit www.neewollah.com
