Emily Mentzer has dreams of starring on the big stage on Broadway.

“My dreams should probably just be on broadway or like west end just be successful in theater doing something I love,” she said.

She's a senior at Parrish Community High School and is passionate about theater.

“There is nothing like being on the stage, and just I don’t know just playing someone else new and relating to a character there is just nothing like it really,” she said.

Singing in the spotlight has been a dream of hers, for as far back as she can remember.

“I started singing when I began to talk really and I've always sang and songwrite,” she said.

But for Emily, doing what she loves with her friends, makes these rehearsals even more special.

“We’ve all been together in this for a long time, so we are all just kind of best friends,” she said.

For the past two months, Emily and her classmates in the theater program have been preparing to make history.  

Parrish Community High School is the only school in the state chosen to perform the full-length Broadway musical Frozen.

Only one high school per state was chosen in a nationwide contest.

The Educational Theatre Association, Disney Theatrical Group and Music Theatre International organized what’s called 'Love is an Open Door' contest. The mission is to strengthen theater programs in schools and the community, promote inclusion and diversity in the theater programs and outreach to underserved people.

This opportunity is all thanks to theater teacher Olga Pena who applied and won the right to perform. 

Pena has been in the theater industry for 40 years and knows the dedication of her students will be rewarded.

“It takes a lot of work it's not just talent it takes a lot of time commitment and to be able to be put on a national platform to showcase those talents and that work ethic is fantastic,” she said.

It's full circle for Emily, in her last performance on stage before graduating in May she’ll sing 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman' – the same song she sang in her first live performance at the age of 7.

“I sang do you want to build a snowman is the transition song from younger to older,” she said.

It's bittersweet for Emily she’s sad to see her high school theater career end, but excited to be part of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Emily will be attending Coastal Carolina University for a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater.

The first performance will be at Parrish Community High School during these dates:

• Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
• Friday, April 14 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 15 at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, April 16 at 2 p.m.