Tattnall students in grades 2-8 had the opportunity to audition for the cast of Annie, KIDS. The 50 member cast began rehearsals this week with their director, Mrs. Sarah Banter, and are working hard as they prepare for opening night. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie KIDS features everyone’s favorite little redhead, played by Brynn Scott, in her very first adventure.

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan (Avery Scott). Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks (Riley McCallum), his personal secretary, Grace Farrell (Emily Strange), and a lovable mutt named Sandy (Haley Strange).

Sarah Banter, TSA Music and Chorus Director, said all students were required to perform a solo for auditions. Those who auditioned for specific roles were required to recite lines from the play along with their solo performance. “I saw an immense amount of talent from our students, and I was so thankful to be able to cast every student who auditioned,” commented Banter.

Banter is working hard to divide rehearsal time for the large scale cast during the first few weeks of practice, but she says she’s excited to see the program grow. “This production is larger than any show we’ve done that requires auditions. Rehearsals can get tricky with younger cast members, but our older students are great about taking leadership roles while helping to guide these students into becoming responsible performers,” stated Banter.

Studies have shown that children who participate in performing arts experience high levels of academic achievement as well as a boost in confidence. “Many children think it is daunting to get in front of a crowd and sing a song or say a line, but I have seen so many children blossom on stage when they thought they could never do it,” commented Banter. These students will also experience an amazing sense of community as they spend a significant amount of time together on stage. “I have made lifelong friends from the many times that I participated in theater, and it’s my hope that our students do the same,” smiled Banter.

You can catch Annie, KIDS on Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m.

Cast List

Annie……………..……………….……….……………Brynn Scott

Oliver Warbucks…….……….…………………Riley McCallum

Grace Ferrell………….……………………………Emily Strange

Miss Hannigan……….……….………………………Avery Scott

Molly…………………….…………..………………Sophie Durden

Pepper…..…………….…………………………Maddie Kitchens

July…….……………….……………….…………Calyn Blackmon

Tessie…….…………….……………….……………Gracy Haynes

Duffy…………………….………………………Martha Kate Gillis

Kate…………………….……………………….…..……Corie David

Orphans

Rooster………….…………………………..………Conner Boone

Lily St. Regis……….………..…………………Natalie Johnson

Bundles*…….……..……………………..……………Boone Fyke

Apple Seller*……………………………….………Dakota Heath

Lt. Ward*……..…………………………..…………William Stuart

Sandy*…….…………………………..…..…………Haley Strange

Drake*..….…..……………………..……………Gray Greenwood

Star-To-Be*.………….…………….………………Abbie Thomas

Bert Healy*…………………..………..……….…………Asa Scott

President Franklin D. Roosevelt*…….…Jackson Malcom

Usherette*……………….……………………Caroline Garretson

Servants*

*Also a New Yorker