Productions Youth Theater has reached a milestone this fall, doubling its cast size for the first time since the program began a little over four years ago.

The local youth theater program has continued to grow steadily, with more families from Fountain Hills and nearby communities choosing to participate each season.

This fall’s production of “Mean Girls Jr.” filled so quickly that the group was able to create two separate casts, allowing twice as many young performers to take on leading roles.

“Our enrollment just keeps growing,” said Paige Beckman, owner and director of Paige Productions Youth Theater. “Kids love being able to build their theater experience with us while still being home for dinner and involved in their other activities. When Mean Girls Jr. filled so fast, we decided to double-cast so more kids could have the chance to shine. It’s something we’d love to do again in the future.”

Performances for “Mean Girls Jr.” will take place at the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m., Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20.

Tickets are $5 and available at PaigeProductionsAZ.com. Shows often sell out in advance.

‘Mean Girls Jr.’ cast

Sunday cast includes Aiyanha Renken-Rowley, Alexandria (Lexi) Bolton, Aliya Holzkopf, Amelia Rogalski, Anya Holzkopf, Aubrey Eck, Avery Hubbell, Bree Bernick, Chloe LaChat, Christine Quarles, Connor Massimino and Elaina Silva.

It also includes Eloise Robinson, Emma Walsh, Nia Cabahug, Olivia Sidoti, Lexi Laukaitis, Lola Castillo, Lora Diaz, Seah Kalika, Olivia Hiller, Hayden Sexton Rogers, Heidi Rucker, Julz Schechterman, Kayla Roholt, Lexi Laukaitis, Lola Castillo, Lora Diaz, Luca Vogel and Madelyn Yates.

More Sunday performers include Mia Ziarnik, Nia Cabahug, Olivia Sidoti, Riley Jacobi, Saylor Gruszeski, Scarlett Mattison, Schotia Nixon, Kennedy Letterie, Sienna Sidoti, Sophia Ricciardi, Odessa Graham and Kensley Straub.

Monday cast includes Theressa DeWitte, Topanga Kohler, Tyler Robinson, Violet Wilson, Whitney Carponelli, Zane Maatta, Aiden Di Raffaele, Annabella Libert, Ariana Kumar, Claire Robinson, Elliott Baggett, Frankie Benevento, Juliette Habeeb and Kinley Clark.

More Monday performers include Logan Robinson, Madison Pelano, Melody Beckman, Myles Perrault, Harlequin Kohler, Jordan Abrams, Payton Steltenpohl, Rosie Brailey, Sinclair Galakatos, Tatum Daigger, Kaylee Morrissey and Odessa Graham.

The next musical, “Matilda Jr.,” will begin rehearsals in January. If enrollment reaches 60 students by Dec. 6, it too will be double-cast to provide more performance opportunities.

Winter break camps

Over winter break, Paige Productions will also offer two shorter camps, a “K-Pop Demon Hunters” musical theater camp and an Acting and Improv Camp.

Fountain Hills residents who have never participated in Paige Productions programs before are invited to attend one session of the Acting and Improv Camp for free. These camps are two-day camps that run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details are at paigeproductionsAZ.com. Contact Beckman at paigeproductions123@gmail.com to enroll a student for free.

“We believe in making theater fun and accessible for all kids,” Beckman said. “It’s been exciting to see our stage full of smiling faces, and we want to keep providing opportunities for young people in Fountain Hills and around the Valley to grow and perform together.”