The month of June is poised to get a little more chilly in McDonough – on stage, at least.

  The Henry Players’ HYPE program will unveil its production of Disney’s “Frozen JR.,” June 27-28, at 7 p.m., at the Hood Street Art Center, 136 Hood St., in McDonough.

  HYPE is an acronym for Henry Youth Performance Ensemble. Audrey Starace, education chair for the Henry Players, said the program is designed as a way to open up the arts for children.

  “The month of June is for third to sixth grade,” said Starace. “We will open up in July for sixth through 12th grades.”

  Starace said the program is going well, thanks to word-of-mouth advertising and inquiries on social media. Approximately 50 kids are currently involved in the HYPE program. The kids meet once a month to bond and play games together, while exploring their shared interest in the performing arts.

  Starace said she has enjoyed seeing kids build friendships through the program while enhancing their theater skills.

  “We had about ten of them graduate last year, and I know of about six who got scholarships for the drama department at their schools,” said Starace. “The kids are the ones that run the program.”

  She said the all-inclusive program showcases the talents of a wide range of children, some of whom have special needs. One of them is her 11-year-old son Nathan, who will take on the role of Sven in the production.

  “That community is so talented as well,” said Starace. “As the mom of a special-needs child, it is so difficult to find programs that include children with disabilities.”

  Starace’s daughter Emily, who was in the program previously, graduated last year and earned a scholarship for musical theater to Brenau University. Starace credited the HYPE program with helping to prepare Emily for college.

    Starace said the HYPE program added an actor to the mix this year to assist with workshops on auditions and costuming.

  Jasmine Hughey is directing a cast of children in third through sixth grade for the production. She said audiences who are familiar with the “Frozen” Disney film will recognize the majority of musical numbers for the play.

  “It’s almost identical to the movie,” said Hughey. “However, there are songs in the musical that are not in the movie.”

  The cast includes 14 kids, ages 7 to 13. Hughey said she has enjoyed seeing the kids – particularly those with special needs – growing in their abilities and confidence on stage.

  She said she is “blown away” by the talents of her young thespians.

  “I love working with kids in general,” said Hughey. “To see some of the kids who didn’t think they could be in a show because they have a disability and to see them on stage, it makes my heart happy.”

  Hughey acknowledged that the newer songs initially presented a challenge for members of the cast. Still, she said, the kids have risen to meet that challenge.

  “They’re nailing it,” said Hughey.

  Hughey said she is grateful for the efforts of music director and HYPE graduate, Hunter Mason, and Stage Manager Christian Woodall, in putting the play together. Mason is studying Music Education the University of Georgia, while Woodall is on a musical-theater scholarship at Anderson University in Anderson, S.C.

  “Christian’s my right-hand woman,” said Hughey. “She knows exactly what I want before I even think about it. Hunter is teaching all the music to the kids and making it fun.”

  Tickets for the production are $10 per person and are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m., at the Hood Street Art Center.   For more information, visit http://henryplayers.com/hype/.