As Disney's “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” opens this weekend, a hyperlocal cast member, Reese Sweeney, will take the stage April 20 as Young Elsa. Sweeney is an 11-year-old in fifth grade student at Blake School and a Southwest Minneapolis resident.

Sweeney is part of the production's Snow Cast that rotates with the Ice Cast, which opened the show with previews on April 15. The show runs through June 15 and is suitable for all ages.

We caught up with Sweeney during her spring break but even during the school week, performers were rehearsing five hours a night and nine hours on Saturdays.

“My teacher is super understanding,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney said she has enjoyed playing Young Elsa because she is such a complex character, as she–spoiler alert–feels responsible for her mother’s death and her sister Anna’s safety.

For those familiar with Disney’s “Frozen” movie, Sweeney said that Elsa and Anna are portrayed in the

Children Theatre Company production as even more powerful than what is seen in the movie, exploring deeper themes of girl power and community.

“You learn more backstory about everything,” Sweeney said. “The show assumes you don't know the movie.”

Sweeney has performed in productions like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Annie” and  “Willy Wonka” at Morningside Theatre Company alongside her peers. But this is Sweeney’s first professional theater production where she is working with teenagers, adults, and even people younger than her.

Before she got into theater, she grew up making silly videos.

“I like to talk a lot,” Sweeney said with a laugh.

Beyond her role as Young Elsa, Sweeney will also be in many ensemble scenes throughout the performance.

Children’s Theatre Company is located 2400 3rd Ave. S. and performances of Disney's “Frozen” Wednesday through Sunday through June 15. Tickets are available online.