The Sun Comes out...on the NCA stage: Annie Jr., the Musical

I'm the Director of the musical, and that means I get the joy and responsibility of capturing the entire vision of the show, ensuring everyone is on the same page, so that every part - from choreography, to set design, to props, etc. - is telling one cohesive story. We all want to be going in the same direction, but also, I want to make sure that all involved, including the cast, crew, and eventually the audience, all have FUN with the process and telling of a great show!

Brittany Menzies Musical Director

As a Directing team, we collaborate together to pick the Musical that feels like a great fit based on the students we have each year. Annie Jr. features a lot of unique and relatable roles that really capture the talent we have this season, while getting to play with a different era and style than we've chosen the last couple years. Also, I grew up watching the '90's movie version, and have always loved the iconic songs and larger than life characters-I always dreamed of myself one day being the Star-to-Be character belting her heart out in the song 'NYC,' so it feels really special that I get to see this story come to life.

Brittany Menzies Musical Director

This year we spent more time going through a devotional with the students at the beginning of rehearsals, which just lays a solid foundation and positions our hearts in a place of worship. I love being a Christian in the Arts, being able to see how our Creator so uniquely uses each individual to creatively work in partnership with Him-having fun and utilizing our God given talents together. I speak to the students a lot about this, I want them to be able to take away how much God delights in creativity, fun, and storytelling. God himself is our ultimate Storyteller. We can glorify God and connect with Him while we play, sing, and dance-I want the students to feel that and not just have this be another extracurricular or performance. There is definitely also a theme throughout Annie Jr. about finding family and being connected-that's Christian community, right? Annie is trying to find where she belongs, she has so many people surrounding her that help guide her, and it's such a powerful redemption message that can inspire us. And beautifully, Annie always maintains joy and optimism no matter what trials she goes through-wow, what a testament to God's desire for us to find joy in HIM even amidst our suffering.

Brittany Menzies Musical Director

Something that excites me most is how much I've enjoyed going deeper with the students on their character development for this musical. Focusing on things like: Why is their character the way they are? Why does their character feel this way? Or react this way? I've been so blown away by the depth and creativity our students bring forth many complex layers and to watch the students really grasp, connect to, and understand their roles more deeply. This story is set in 1933, and it's fun that the students have no idea what anything was like then but are getting a snapshot of how the world looked almost a hundred years ago, and it's so amazing to watch them get into character. They're learning SO much--the conversations have been so amazing and each one of them are understanding no matter how big or small their role, they have so much depth to bring.

 

Brittany Menzies Musical Director

Yes, I totally don't want to give anything away--but, we do have some fun, special surprises up our sleeves. Last year for example, in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. we surprised our audience with a real moving car! So, this year we are going to have a really unique set piece as part of our stage design that I am SO excited to use and see how it supports our story and cast -- we have never done something like this before! Additionally, we may have a very special guest on stage…so I guess you will have to just come attend one of our performances and see for yourself!

Brittany Menzies Musical Director

 I was actually driving back home with my dad and I started getting so many text messages on my phone. It was my friends in our group chat that was blowing up and they were all congratulating me! I was shocked thinking, 'wow, the cast already came out?' I started reading through the messages they sent and then I looked at my dad and said questionably, 'I think I got the role of Annie!?' so when we got home, I told my mom and she confirmed I did get it. I wasn't expecting to get this role at all, I thought maybe I looked a little too mature for the role? I was so, so surprised and so excited--what an honor!  

Olivia Worden Role of Annie

 Last year I got to be in the musical and it was so awesome! I feel like I learned how to really connect with different peers and different personalities and learn and grow even more from them. This year we are reading through a devotional as a team to prepare us before each rehearsal and it's been so great, I feel like that has really inspired me too and helped me learn how I can relate the musical to the Bible and God's story for us. It's been so great to start off rehearsals by reading together and setting our hearts in a solid place. 

Olivia Worden Role of Annie

 I like how all the orphans are 'siblings' they all have trials and hard times, but they all have each other and support and love each other. There is such a heavy theme of 'family' in Annie Jr. and I love that. I love the community we have built as we prepare for the musical and the fact that we get to showcase that same comradery throughout the story of Annie Jr. makes it even more special. All the interactions the characters have are really inspiring--even the ones that have their guard up, you get to watch them slowly break it down and I love how that teaches us to do the same.  

Olivia Worden Role of Annie

 First and foremost, I would encourage any of my peers by sharing that all of the directors are so understanding, they're all so encouraging and help support us in ways that both strengthen us and challenge us. I know a lot of peers who don't necessarily like singing in front of strangers or larger groups, and I would love to encourage them by sharing no matter what happens, there's a team there to support them and coach them through. I remember back in the past musicals I've done, I went to the Lord and asked Him to help guide me and give me understanding to better equip me and help breakdown any fears or anxiousness I had and to also help remind me that it's not just about me, we are a team and we all work together as one.  

Olivia Worden Role of Annie