26 DECEMBER 2025 By Katy Springer Ten Arcadia area youth performers are stepping into Santa’s workshop this season as Greasepaint Youtheatre brings “Elf Jr.” to the stage. The family-friendly holiday musical runs December 5-14 and offers a sweet and silly take on the power of family, acceptance, and oversized Christmas cheer. Based on the 2003 Will Ferrell hit movie, “Elf Jr.” tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan raised by elves at the North Pole. When he discovers he’s a human, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his father and sprinkle Christmas magic on everyone he meets. “This show really gets me into the Christmas spirit,” said Maggie Chandler, who plays the role of Deb. “We have such a talented cast and I’m so excited for the audience to see the amazing show we’ve put together.” Her sister, Betsy, shares her excitement. “I really like getting my makeup done. I also really like costumes. ‘Never Fall in Love (With an Elf)’ is my favorite part of the show,” said the 6-year-old, who plays Elf 3. Director Jordan Cline says that the mix of feeling and fun is the point. “‘Elf Jr.’ is a big-hearted, happy show that reminds us what the holidays are really about – connection, kindness, and believing in something bigger than ourselves,” Cline said. “It’s packed with laughter and lovable characters, but beneath the comedy is a message that really resonates, especially this time of year.” The stage version of the musical features a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, the songwriting team behind “The Wedding Singer” and “The Prom.” The junior adaptation includes several catchy favorites, such as “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” “A Christmas Song,” and “Never Fall in Love (With an Elf).” “I wanted to do this show because I thought it would be a good experience,” actress Emily Brodie said. “I celebrate Hanukkah, and I wanted to know what it would be like to be in a Christmas show even though I don’t celebrate that holiday.” Greasepaint’s production includes a cast of nearly 30 performers, including 10 actors from Arcadia: Emily as Shwanda; Betsy Chandler as Elf 3; Maggie Chandler as Deb; Cecelia Conti Mica as Elf 6; Siena Hardy as Police/ Security 1; Edel Pasquel as Elf 4; Sam Roalofs as Michael; Pierce Seidenberg as Jogger/Sam; Olivia Share as Elf 5; and Lucy Woudenberg as Emma. Behind the scenes, the creative team includes Elise Kurbat as music director, Tawny Audi as choreographer, and Taylor Penn as stage manager. As part of its commitment to inclusion and accessibility, Greasepaint will offer a sensory- friendly performance at 2 p.m. on December 6. In addition, Greasepaint will host an ASL-interpreted performance at 7 p.m. on December 13, providing access for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Tickets are $25. greasepaint.org Arcadia youth bring Christmas magic to the stage Lucy Woudenberg, Maggie Chandler, Pierce Seidenberg, Emily Brodie, Olivia Share, Betsy Chandler, Edel Pasquel, Siena Hardy. Not pictured: Sam Roalofs and Cecelia Conti Mica. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATY SPRINGER By Mallory Gleich What began as a routine school volunteer project quickly became a calling for Brophy Bronco Gavin Reddy. While volunteering at Native Health, he witnessed firsthand how obesity was affecting Native American families – and especially children. “I learned that generations of displacement had cut populations off from their natural food ways. Fresh ingredients were replaced with processed rations high in sugar and fat. Over time, this changed what people ate,” Gavin said. “The effects of that loss are still visible today. I also knew childhood obesity could shorten life spans and lead to serious health problems later on.” Gavin launched EMPWR Arizona, a nonprofit dedicated to improving health outcomes for vulnerable communities by reconnecting families with nutritious foods. From the beginning, community partnerships have shaped the organization’s direction. Gavin credits Native Health’s Susan Levy with helping the idea get off the ground. “She connected me with several Native American chefs she had previously worked with, including Chef Mario from The Rez and Urban Eatery,” Gavin said. “Chef Mario catered our inaugural event. I had also heard from many people that he is an incredible storyteller. His stories about food, culture, and growing up have added so much depth and meaning to our classes.” Levy also connected Gavin to the Phoenix Office of Indian Education, where Lynnann Yazzie helped spread the word to school districts. Martha Sullivan of Madison Elementary School District offered EMPWR its home base: the Madison #1 cafeteria kitchen. EMPWR now runs hands-on parent-child cooking classes for students in grades 3-8. Each class is led by a Native American chef who teaches families to cook healthy, Indigenous-inspired recipes using organic ingredients. The kids chop vegetables, wrap tamales, and learn skills like proper knife technique, while parents and chefs weave in stories about food traditions and cultural resilience. “We talk about the traditions, local foods compared to processed foods, and how reconnecting with these foods can bring health and pride back to the table,” Gavin said. “We teach proper cooking techniques. I have actually learned quite a bit about how to prepare vegetables like butternut squash, something I had never cooked before.” Each week, every student leaves with a bag of fresh produce to continue cooking at home. The focus on traditional Native foods is intentional. The original Indigenous diet – beans, wild greens, seeds, squash, and cactus – was nutrient-dense, low in fat, and naturally protective against diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Families have responded with enthusiasm. “One family sent us a photo of their dinner plate filled with colorful vegetables for our Rainbow Plate Challenge, where students were encouraged to include at least three different-colored vegetables on their plate to promote balanced nutrition,” Gavin said. “Parents have also shared that they are learning alongside their children, which makes the experience meaningful for the whole family.” Though measuring community impact can be tricky, EMPWR looks at both numbers and stories. They’ve distributed more than 50 produce bags, classes fill with returning families, and students show genuine pride in the meals they make. To further strengthen data collection, EMPWR is working with three Arizona State University students from the Growing BioDiverse Cultures Humanities Lab to develop evaluation tools. Building trust has been one of the program’s biggest challenges. “As a youth- led organization, it’s important that we engage with families and community members in a way that is respectful, culturally aware, and collaborative,” Gavin said. “Earning that trust takes time and consistently showing up.” empwraz.org EMPWR Arizona helps families reconnect to healthy meals Fresh holiday wreaths and more starting at $30 Saturday & Sunday • December 6 & 7 �� ������� ���� (or until SOLD OUT) Help support Arcadia’s Boy Scout Troop 6 This is our sole fundraiser of the year and helps fund our camping, hiking, backpacking trips and community service projects, while we encourage and train young men to: Be Prepared. For Life. 3641 N. 56th Street – Prince of Peace Church (Look for Troop 6 Scouts with signs) Indian School Road 56th St. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church TROOP 6 WREATH SALE SATURDAY SALE SUNDAY SALE