Director: Paula Sutter
Assistant Director: Beth Sutter
Vocal Director: Amy Shinabarger
Choreographer: Victoria Wisniewski
DISNEY'S MOANA JR ~ Disney’s Moana JR is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. Moana JR features all the beloved songs from the film, written by Tony®, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.”
This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.
Celebrating the rich history of Oceania and based on the beliefs and cultures of the people of the Pacific Islands, Moana was developed in collaboration with an Oceanic Trust – a group of anthropologists, cultural practitioners, historians, linguists, and choreographers from the Pacific Islands. The same respect and attention to detail used to develop the film was carried forward in the creation of this stage adaptation.
MOANA JR CAST LIST
All those cast in MOANA JR are required to become a KVTA member at some level (minimum $28) by a certain date during the rehearsal process. One parent being a member of KVTA does cover the membership requirement for all family members 17 and under. Memberships paid during the 2022-2023 season will also fulfill this requirement.
PLEASE NOTE: Should any updated Health Department or CDC recommendations arise anytime during the course of this production, the KVTA Board of Directors reserves the right to modify KVTA's COVID-19 policy including, but not limited to, mask usage.
CAST LIST
THANK YOU to everyone who took the time and effort to audition for MOANA JR. We had so many talented youths audition. If you didn’t make this production, please try again. Just know that this was a very hard decision for me and my staff!
If your name is on the cast list, you need to do two things RIGHT AWAY:
1. Email me to accept OR decline your role – kvtamoanajr@gmail.com
2. Have your parent make a costume appointment for you. It is very important that we get everyone measured/fitted this week, as we have many costumes to make. Sign up here for your costume appointment: https://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/xiznq
There will be a parent and cast meeting on Tuesday, January 10 at 6:30 at the KVTA Studios. Due to space limitations, we ask that only one parent attend, if possible (unless you don’t mind standing). It is important that at least one parent/guardian attend. It should only last about an hour.
MOANA JR CAST LIST
Please check the list carefully.
Moana ~ Abby Purcell
Moana Understudy ~ JoAnna Jenkins
Maui ~ Andrew Bush
Chief Ancestors ~ Emma Van Voorst, Kane Rushing, Savannah Whittington
Gramma Tala ~ Hannah Mantooth
Chief Tui/Maui Understudy ~ Hunter Lockhart
Chief Tui Understudy ~ Jackson Day
Sina ~ Mary Alice Kunz
Hei Hei ~ Zoe Christensen
Pua ~ Chloe Shinabarger
Tamatoa ~ Lillian Longtin
Left Claw ~ Harper Case
Right Claw ~ Kaliph Whitlow
Te Fiti/TE KÁ ~ Alejandra Gomez
Ocean Ensemble
Lauren Balk, Ruby Christensen, Melaina Hall, JoAnna Jenkins, Lucy Leroy, Adelyn Lindsay, Audrey McPhail, Amelia Nugent, Haley O’Keefe, Alyssa Pfeiffer, Kolbee Shoufler, Essence Talley, Kylie Veit, Olivia Zwirkoski
Villagers
Bella Beaver, Sevin Casey, Kinley Collins, Jackson Day, Emma Froeschle, Alejandra Gomez, Margie Hess, Lily James, Kaitlyn Kenney, Breckin Lebda, Austin Lyle, Daniel Marion, Margot Mau-Bridges, Artie Meyer, Ella Nitschke, Cole Pilbeam, Kindall Rasmussen, Adrianna Udstuen, Luke Williams
Maui Ensemble
Bella Beaver, Harper Case, Sevin Casey, Kinley Collins, Lily James, Liam Johnson, Kaitlyn Kenney, Breckin Lebda, Daniel Marion, Kindall Rasmussen, Leia Skutt, Adrianna Udstuen, Kaliph Whitlow
Shiny Ensemble,
Sevin Casey, Jackson Day, Emma Froeschle, Geselle Fuentes, Lily James, Liam Johnson, Kaitlyn Kenney, Harper Linnell, Margot Mau-Bridges, Naimah Mans, Cole Pilbeam, Kindall Rasmussen, Peytan Sandeno, Leia Skutt
Gate Monsters
Kinley Collins, Thane Fruehling, Margie Hess, Austin Lyle, Artie Meyer, Ella Nitschke, Anneliese Troendle, Luke Williams
Ancestor Ensemble
Geselle Fuentes, Thane Fruehling, Liam Johnson, Harper Linnell, Naimah Mans, Peytan Sandeno, Leia Skutt, Anneliese Troendle
PERFORMANCE DATES & LOCATION:
Lincoln Cultural Center 240 Warren Ave Kankakee IL 60901
There will be seven (7) mandatory performances of this production.
School Performances: Wednesday, March 15 & Thursday, March 16 (there will be 2 school show performances each day)
Public Performances: Friday, March 17 at 7 pm, Saturday, March 18 at 2 pm & Sunday, March 19 at 2 pm
Every young person cast in this production will be required to miss two days of school for the school performances. Every cast member will be required to have a permission slip signed by his/her teachers and principal during the first week of rehearsal. Failure to return this slip by the deadline given may result in the cast member being dropped from the cast.
TENTATIVE rehearsal schedule (subject to change):
January 12-February 3: Vocals will be on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. Dance will be on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Beginning February 6: We will add Monday evenings to the schedule. After this date, we may do every other Sunday, as needed. There may be a Saturday morning dance review the end of February.
Beginning March 6: We will rehearse Monday-Friday (no weekends unless really needed). Cast members should be available every night from March 6 through the last performance on March 20. A more detailed schedule will be put together after casting is complete. Rehearsal dates are subject to change. We want to have the entire cast at ALL of our final tech rehearsals, so please be open and honest when completing your auditioner’s conflict calendar. Please be sure to fill out all of the conflicts for your child from the audition date through the final performance date.
If you have any questions about the information provided here, please ask ahead of time by emailing the Director, Paula Sutter, at kvtamoanajr@gmail.com.
KVTA Policies: PDF
KVTA Policies Acknowledgement Form to be signed: PDF
All participants, on-stage or off-stage, will be required to sign KVTA's Social Media, Sexual Harassment, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies. If said participant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will sign for the participant. Any parent or guardian signing for their auditioner agrees to instruct and provide information to their auditioner regarding KVTA's policies. An Emergency Card and Waiver of Liability must also be completed and signed in order to participate. These forms will be distributed when you first volunteer with KVTA. If you have any questions please email: kvta@kvta.org
For those cast in the show, our CAST READ THRU and PARENT MEETING will be on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 6:30 pm at the KVTA Studios. This is a mandatory meeting. At least one parent or guardian must attend. Additional family members cannot attend due to space limitations at the KVTA Studios.
HERE'S A RECAP OF THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS TO KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS CAST:
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Cast members must miss two days of school to perform for our school performances.
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Parents are required to complete 10 hours of volunteer time for each child cast.
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There will be a parent/cast meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at KVTA. At least one parent must attend.
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You will need to sign your child up for a costume fitting as soon as the cast list is posted. A link to sign up will be sent to you after casting.
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Cast members are required to provide the following personal items: shoes and socks. In addition, they may be asked to supply additional items such as leotards, tights, etc. Additional optional expenses are the purchase of show DVD, a picture CD, apparel items, etc.
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To participate in this production, children must be at least 6 years of age and no older than 17 by March 15, 2023.
Further questions regarding auditions, callbacks, or casting may be emailed to the Director at: kvtamoanajr@gmail.com Please include Moana JR in the subject line.
Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Moana JR Staff
SHOWTIMES
Friday, March 17, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 2:00 PM
Sunday, March 19, 2023 | 2:00 PM