 Levi P., grade 6, as Oliver Warbucks; Gisela J., grade 5, as Annie; and Michelle C., grade 6, as Grace Farrell discuss Annie coming to stay with Mr. Warbucks for the holidays. |
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 In the orphanage, Melissa T., grade 6, as July, and Brynnli C., grade 5, as Pepper, engage in a scuffle as Amanda T., grade 6 as Molly cowers under a pillow. |
by Gisela J., grade 5, who played Annie
It all started in chorus. Mrs. Goldman was asking if we would like to do Annie, Jr. for the spring concert. Almost all of us said, "YES!" My mind was racing for the possibilities. But, at first I did not want to be Annie.
About two months later, Mrs. Goldman announced auditions. She handed out sheets of paper with the names and descriptions of who you could try out for. I finally decided to try out for the part of Grace. So, I signed up for auditions. But, one day before, I was thinking. Questions raced through my mind: Should I try out for Annie? Will a fifth grader get the part of Grace? Who will become Grace? Who will become Annie?
Audition morning. I was nervous. I decided I would try out for Annie. Mrs. Goldman asked, "Who wants to go first?" I pointed to Brynnli. She pointed to Calista. Calista pointed to Erin, and Erin pointed to me. "Fine, fine, I'll go," I said. I was surprised at my brain.
Mrs. Goldman had me sing Maybe and It's a Hard-Knock Life. Then, before I knew it, I was done. I sat down. Then, she called up Brynnli. "Wow," I thought, "She's good!" I was glad she was trying out for Kate or I might've had no chance.
After everyone's auditions were done, we went to class. Mica asked me how my auditions were. "Good. I decided to try out for Annie." Her mouth was open.
That was Friday. Next Monday Mica had her auditions. At the end of the day, Mrs. Goldman asked if saw the callback list. We looked at each other and exchanged questioning looks. Then we went to the music room. I had a callback for Annie! Unfortunately, Mica tried out for Miss Hannigan, but got a callback for Lily. Juliet, Brynnli, and I were all called back for Annie. Brynnli? But she didn't even try out for Annie!
Callback number two. I ran lines with other people. It wasn't very exciting. I had memorized the scene we running, but was worried because Brynnli still had a callback for Annie. But, by now, she had changed from auditioning for Kate to Annie and from Annie to Pepper. I was happier.
Third and final callback. Right before recess, Mrs. Goldman told us that the cast list was up. We all frantically asked Mr. Alberts if we could look at it. He said, "Don't be too long."
As I was walking up to where the list was posted, I told Mica I was afraid. Would I get the part?
I looked at the list. Annie.......Gisela J. I screamed. Well, with my mouth closed...I was still in school. I hugged Daeja and Mica. They said my face was dark red.
All the way from the first rehearsal to the last, I was nervous. Finally Mrs. Goldman announced the show would be in one week. I was so nervous that my brain wasn't working.
Show day. I was a nervous wreck. I looked out from behind the set. Wow, I breathed.
"Nervous?" said Mica.
"Yeah...." I replied.
"Me, too."
"Break a leg."
The show started. I heard my cue, "It's all right Molly, Annie's here."
It was like someone else inside me was speaking. But I felt the stares. This wasn't so scary after all. I can't wait until the cast party.
 The servants at Mr. Warbucks' mansion perform with Gisela J., grade 5, as Annie, I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here. |
 Hope G., grade 6, as Star-to-Be sings about life in the big city. |
 Rony P., grade 6, as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visits Mr. Warbucks' mansion and speaks to Annie and her orphan friends. |