Sedona, AZ — Amazon Prime has just released the Sedona-based film High School Detention: The Musical. Originally debuting at the 2026 Sedona International Film Festival to the cheers of kids and adults alike, this special “edu-tainment” film was created, written, and produced by former Sedona local and Disney writer, Emmy-winning Dev Ross. Award-winning composer Shondra Jepperson wrote the film’s all-original songs and also produced and composed the score. Directed by Sedona local Amy Waddell and starring local young actors Lazor Lanson, Sarah Orbe, and Ajna Masters, this is a must-see film!
The movie centers around three bickering teens who get stuck in a supernatural after-school detention with no supervision. Thanks to the musical intervention of three magical divas who climb out of a piano, the disparate kids divulge their secrets and learn how conflict resolution can finally bring them together as friends.
Sedona local singer and business owner, Suzie Shomaker, plays Blue Diva, whose vocals on She’s a Bully Who’s Been Bullied will knock your socks off. Joining her are two accomplished singer-actors from Los Angeles, Lorinda Hawkins and Yukumi Takizawa. Mingus High School teacher James Ball is featured in the film along with Verde Valley actors Jeff Masters and Theresa Hawkins. Sascha Loup Mottier Waddell – Director Amy Waddell’s son rounds out the cast of locals in this home-grown film.
Skilled film production locals from all over the Verde Valley rallied to help. This film could not have been made without the expertise of Margaret Knight and Kate Hawkes, who helped steward the film from preproduction through shooting and then the hardest part – postproduction!
The ‘why’ of this film centers around our Sedona schools. Dev was working in a Sedona classroom when they had a shooting drill. From that experience, Dev and Shondra decided that creating a film about ‘stopping the violence’ before it happens was something they had to do. Their path was paved when Sedona International Film Festival’s Patrick Schweiss invited them to use the Mary Fisher Theatre to do a fundraiser. Sedona locals answered the call and helped fund the film into reality.
You can watch High School Detention: The Musical right now on Amazon Prime, with additional streaming channels to be announced in the future. The movie soundtrack can be heard and purchased on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming channels. Dev and Shondra also offer this film to any school without charge. For more information, visit Highschooldetentionthemusical.com
