A Frozen journey: exploring opportunity, access, and whole child learning practices through unified theater productions

This article documents the process of developing a full-length unified musical, through an inclusive production process at Millard West High School. My work in the Connected Arts Network was essential to the production’s success as I cultivated the “Five Pursuits” as presented by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad; a workshop on diversity and casting from Bliss Griffin; a Connected Arts Network meeting led by People Like Us, an organization designed to help educators use the performing arts to create learning environments for students with developmental disabilities; and student-centered metacognitive tools like journaling and reflection. As a CAN educator, this practitioner’s essay explores how the musical we produced consciously embedded ED&I and SEL into the production process—including everything from auditions and casting to rehearsals and design. Our production process was guided by creative problem-solving strategies and resources that continue to influence both productions and classroom pedagogy.