Students shine during ‘Annie Jr.’ production

by Joseph Cyr
9 years ago

Middle-schoolers take to stage

HOULTON, Maine — Young thespians from Houlton Middle School took to the stage of the Houlton Community Arts Center Thursday, Friday and Saturday for four performances of the musical “Annie Jr.”

“As always, I was impressed with the dedication that many of the players took to learning all of the music, dance, and character acting that makes a show like ‘Annie’ such a treat for audiences,” said director Jason Anderson.

While the play is renowned for its upbeat songs, some of the themes struck a resounding chord with the cast, Anderson said.

“Some of the themes in ‘Annie’ were more relatable than the kids originally thought,” he said. “We took a great deal of time discussing what it would be like to be a cast-off of society, sent to live in a place with other cast-offs. What it was really like to live as an orphan in the 1920s? None of them know that feeling, but they learned how to channel that feeling to bring to the stage.”

Two students, Hope Chernesky and Ellie Grant, were cast in the lead role of Annie with each taking the lead for two productions.

Jonathan Smith played the role of Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, a multi-billionaire who brings Annie into his home, while Sidney Peabody was cast as Miss Hannigan, the cruel manager of the orphanage.

Other cast members included Mayan Pratt, Eden Davis, Trinity Randall, Kalle Neureuther, Lexi Crouse, Alexandra Reed, Elisabeth Donahue, Natalie Putnam, Victoria Forbush, Rhylee Parsons, Anna Hogan, Aryus Desjardins, Amelia Findlater, Christian Lively, Isabel Cyr, Lindzi Nelson, Morgan Graham, Amelia Botting, Jonathan Smith, Amanda Thorne, Damien Sullivan and Emmalyne Drake.
 “I’m really proud of the extra mile that many of them went to in order for their audience to experience the whole story of ‘Annie’ in a nice, neat package,” Anderson said. “It’s also interesting to note that the cast acted as their own stage crew, so they not only performed when the lights were up, but they also moved set pieces in the dark.”

Several high school students also served as mentors and choreographers for the production.

“Activities like this one give kids who don’t necessarily identify as an athlete an opportunity to be involved in a group, teamwork activity,” Anderson said. “The music department hopes to continue to offer these types of activities for the kids in our schools, and we hope that the community continues to support our efforts to help kids develop good social and problem solving skills, and, of course, a sense of empathy.”