GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) - Union High School brought a bold, energetic production of Beetlejuice Jr. to the stage on March 27 and 28, 2026, marking the school’s second musical in as many years and building on the momentum of last year’s Mean Girls Jr. Directed by choir teacher Marisa Plouhar and band teacher Jamie DeVoe, the show featured a collaborative cast of students from both Union and Museum High School, highlighting a growing and inclusive Redhawk theater program.
Auditions were held just before winter break, with rehearsals beginning in January and running three to four times a week. Despite scheduling conflicts and the challenge of working with partial casts at times, students demonstrated flexibility and commitment throughout the process. Their hard work paid off in a lively and technically ambitious performance that pushed beyond the scope of the previous year’s production.
Senior Noelle Kemp led the cast in the title role of Beetlejuice, alongside fellow Union seniors Alanna Miles as Lydia Deetz, Finnick Coburn as Adam Maitland, and Neveah Xiong as Barbara Maitland. Museum students Kyllian Weaver and Kayla Painter added strong featured performances as Charles Deetz and Delia Schlimmer, supported by a dedicated ensemble and crew of students from both schools, including student directors Jessica Cadena and Vivienne Meza.
The production embraced a new level of creativity and complexity, incorporating elements such as a fog machine, projector, puppetry, and elaborate set pieces. These additions helped transform the stage and brought the show’s eccentric tone to life. Special appearances by Union staff members during the musical number “What I Know Now” added a memorable and fun twist for audiences.
Reflecting on the experience, director Marisa Plouhar emphasized both the challenges and rewards of the production: “Beetlejuice Jr. was Union High School’s second show in over a decade. Building off last year's successful production of Mean Girls Jr., we decided to take our musical in a whole new direction,” she said. “The students were flexible and worked very hard to make this work despite the challenge of working on scenes without a scene partner or choreography without the whole ensemble.”
Plouhar also highlighted the strong community support behind the show, including contributions from school staff, caregivers, and the GRPS Foundation. Partnerships with theater professionals and guest choreographers, including West Michigan actor and GRPS alumnus Starshawn Cook, further elevated the production. Additionally, GRPS Theater Manager Kylan Thureockes played a key role in set construction, lighting, and sound design.
With 24 students involved—many returning from last year’s production—the success of Beetlejuice Jr. reflects a growing passion for theater at Union. As Plouhar noted, “The theater experience is so valuable, and I am honored to be able to provide the opportunity for GRPS students.”
Special thanks to the GRPS Foundation for funding this production; those interested in supporting future initiatives can donate at grpsf.org/donate.