Young daughter of University of Alabama instructor makes Broadway Debut in ‘School of Rock’

The 9-year-old daughter of a University of Alabama associate professor of educational research is now appearing in a Broadway show “School of Rock.”

Madalen Yarbrough Mills plays the role of Sophie in the New York City production which features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is an adaptation of a film starring Jack Black.

According to a story by David Miller on the University of Alabama website, www.ua.edu, the daughter of researcher Jamie Mills got the role after she emailed an audition reel. Madalen will be in the show for six months and will be performing eight shows per week.

During that time, her mother will teach online from New York City.

Madalen’s Broadway role follows lead roles in school and Tuscaloosa-area productions.

She was also a member of the cast of a national tour of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical.”

Madalen, who once sang and danced onstage with Diana Ross at a concert two years ago, has received training at Kindermusik, the University of Alabama’s community music school.

Researcher Jamie Mills knows her daughter is fortunate.

In the school report, she says, “I know my daughter is talented but I see a lot of talented kids everywhere she performs. All the stars have to line up. It has to be the right show for the right height, right size and weight. I always thought it was possible, but you don’t think it’s going to happen until it happens.”

This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 1:19 PM with the headline "Young daughter of University of Alabama instructor makes Broadway Debut in ‘School of Rock’."