Annie Junior

PLAYBILL

Shoreline Theater Academy Kidz Konnection

Miss Laura’s Musings ~

In 2023, we saw yet another year of remarkable growth at the Academy. expanding its repertoire to 15 unique productions for kids of all ages while adding three semi-professional musicals for adults. Notably, we erected an outdoor stage for our free summer theater heightening awareness of Clinton’s downtown historic arts. Perhaps our greatest achievement, though, has been securing a spot at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival of Fringe Arts in 2025.

Since its inception in 2006, The Academy has aimed not only to foster confidence through performance but also to broaden young minds and empower them to influence their surroundings. Our endeavor, rooted in using theater as a platform for service-learning, seeks to imbue children's lives with purpose and significance. No child is ever turned away. Our commitment to provide leadership programs through the arts to any child seeking it remains a cornerstone of our mission.

Over the years, we’ve fulfilled our mission through community serving activities like our popular historical skits about the rich history of the shoreline, but our ultimate aspiration is to inspire youth to recognize the interconnectedness of the world and their potential to effect positive change through collaborative artistic endeavors.

Inspired and passionate to achieve our goals, our youth pressed ahead with our first pilot of Zip to Script over a year ago. The Zip to Script program epitomizes our commitment to innovative ventures. It empowers students to create fully staged, original plays from scratch, encouraging them to explore groundbreaking ideas and raise global awareness. These innovative initiatives, all free for those participating, further our devotion to serve as many local students as possible with the most opportunity as possible to support the healthy development of children to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Our recent achievements are a testament to the unwavering

dedication of our families who share our mission. I am so deeply grateful for the support of my families and my community. Because of you, we continue to provide a supportive environment for young talent, and endeavor to nurture their innate desire to make a difference. Giving young people purpose in life, a safe space to share meaningful exchanges of ideas with others, and a place to laugh and be themselves is pivotal in the overall mental well-being and success of our children.

What does it mean to get into the Fringe Festival in Scotland? From over 250 youth theaters in the US, The Academy was one of just 26 selected to represent the US in 2025. This is a monumental achievement for our students. Renowned for attracting thousands of performers and spectators annually, Fringe provides a platform for emerging talent to showcase their work on an international stage. Our admission signifies the culmination of years of dreaming but also demonstrates the integrity and character our kids demonstrate every day as they seek to heighten consciousness.

Puffs, Annie and Bye Bye Birdie, each distinct on the surface, are united by a common thread the resilience and tenacity of youth in the face of adversity. Whether an orphan longing for a family, a group of misfits striving for acceptance, or teenagers navigating the ups and downs of first love, each remind us no challenge is insurmountable when faced with courage, determination, and the support of loved ones.

To think all that we have achieved began as a flicker of a nascent dream 18 years ago. From the shared vision and hard work of the very youth performing for us today. And, from your invaluable contributions enriching the lives of countless youth, inspiring a new generation of dreamers and changemakers.

Imagine what more lies ahead for these kids. Join me in dreaming big! I promise, it’ll be worth the trip!

SUCCESS IS NOT FINAL, FAILURE IS NOT FATAL:

Winston S. Churchill

Presents:

Book by Thomas Meehan

Music by Charles Strouse

Presented on Broadway by Mike Nichols

Originally Produced by

Lyrics by Martin Charnin

Irwin Myer

Alvin Nederlander Associates, Inc.

Stephen R. Friedman Lewis Allen

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Based on “Little Orphan Annie”®

Icarus Productions.

By Permission of the Tribune Media Services, Inc.

Artistic Director Laura Attanasio

Director/Choreographer Maria Teresa Lonetti

Set Design

Maria Teresa Lonetti and Morgan Cheslock

Student Assistants

Morgan Cheslock and Kiera Flannigan

Sound/Lighting Technician

Sam Reed

June 8-9 2024

Shoreline Theater Academy Clinton, Connecticut

Annie JR. is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Annie Jr. Song List

• Maybe

• It’s the Hard Knock Life

• It’s the Hard Knock Life (Reprise)

• Tomorrow

• Little Girls

• Little Girls (Reprise)

• I think I’m Gunna Like it Here

• NYC

• Easy Street

• You Won’t be an Orphan For Long

• Maybe (Reprise)

• You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

• Easy Street (Reprise)

• I Don’t Need Anything But You

• Maybe (Reprise)

• Tomorrow (Reprise)

Annie Jr. Cast List

Cast A Cast B

Annie Lily Guarnieri Natalie Sutherland

Miss Hannigan Ella Kapsinow Sofia Guccione

Oliver

Warbucks

Jaxon Wilcox JJ Harder

Grace Brooke Atwater Lucia Acampora

Rooster Grace McMillian Xavier Gonzalez

Lily Taylor Mikolay Isla Seales

Pepper

Molly

Duffy

Kate

Tessie

Mila Pendergast Breanna Tregelles

Regly De La Rosa Yasmine Oumay

Maddie Stevens Lily Bertelli

Sloane St. Pierre Emma Goldschmidt

Nola Flaherty Kate Ethier

July Lydia Johns Addy Lalka

Sandy Kelsi Lewis

Miss. Bundles

Healy

Emme DowlingMoreno Colton Schroder

Sante Gallagher Dylan Okasha

Lt Ward/Police Pietra Moradi Avery Ehlert

Star to Be

Pietra Moradi Avery Ehlert

Apple Seller

Mrs. Pugh

Dog Catcher

Cast A Cast B

Emme Dowling- Caitlin Antoniou

Calleigh Beck Paige Erwin

Emma McMillan Colton Schroder

Drake Sante Gallagher Dylan Okasha

Cecile

Annette

Mrs. Greer

Man in

Window

Usherette

Radio

Announcer

Sound Effect

Person

Ellianna Poulard Olivia Rivera

Emma McMillan Caitlin Antoniou

Pietra Moradi Avery Ehlert

Grace McMillian Xavier Gonzalez

Calleigh Beck Paige Erwin

Ellianna Poulard Olivia Rivera

Emma McMillan Olivia Rivera

Additional Orphans

Cast A

Kelsi Lewis, Dylan Okasha, Lily Bertelli, Sofia Guccione, Kate Ethier, Breanna Tregelles, Yasmine Oumay, JJ Harder

Cast B

Kelsi Lewis, Sante Gallagher, Grace McMillian, Ellianna Poulard, Pietra Moradi, Jaxon Wilcox

Lily Guarnieri (Annie Cast A) is 11 years old and is thrilled to play Annie! Her favorite roles have been Michael in Peter Pan and LeFou in Beauty and the Beast. She loves singing, roller skating, ventriloquism, and playing with her guinea pigs. She thanks Miss Maria, Miss Laura, and Miss Stacey for preparing her for this role!

Natalie Sutherland (Annie Cast B) is 12 years old and is in 7th grade. Natalie loves acting, singing and hanging out with her friends. Annie is her nineth production and she is looking forward to many more! She would like to thank her family, Ms. Maria and Ms. Laura for their support.

Ella Kapsinow (Miss Hannigan Cast A) ) is a freshman and has been with Kidz Konnection for 10 years. She loves acting and dancing and is so excited for the show! She would like to thank Ms.Laura, Miss.Maria and her friends and family for always being so supportive.

Sofia Guccione (Miss Hannigan Cast B) is 13 years old and has been performing for almost 9 years now. She loves to read and write, and of course to sing and dance. Her favorite roles have included Ed in Lion King, and Charlotte in Cinderella. She would like to thank Ms. Maria, Ms. Laura, and all of her family for the support.

Jaxon Wilcox (Oliver Warbucks Cast A) is 11 years old and has been with Kidz Konnection for just over a year he is in the 6th grade and theater is his passion. Aside from theater Jax loves to cook and spend time with his friends. This will be his 6th play.

JJ Harder (Oliver Warbucks Cast B) is 12 years old and attends the 6th grade at The Country School in Madison. His hobbies include gaming, hiking, tennis and hanging out with friends. He is very excited for his second performance with Kidz Konnection!

Brooke Atwater (Grace Cast A) is 12 years old and in 7th grade in Guilford. This is her 3rd show with Kidz Konnection, her first being Beauty and the Beast. She was also in GYFS productions of Seussical Jr and currently Matilda Jr. Brooke also likes Soccer, Basketball and hanging out with Friends and Family.

Lucia Acampora (Grace Cast B) is in 7th grade and enjoys singing, acting, dancing, playing soccer, and being with friends. Her favorite role was Miss Honey in Kidz Konnection’s summer musical, Matilda. She is grateful to her family, friends, and everyone at Kidz Konnection for always encouraging her to be her very best.

Grace McMillian (Rooster & Man in Window Cast A) is a 6th grader at Polson Middle School in Madison. She is so happy to be playing Rooster in her 12th show with KK. Her favorite roles have been Bruce in Matilda, Young Eponine in Les Mis, and Peter in Peter Pan. Grace thanks Miss Maria, Miss Laura, and her castmates for an amazing show!

Xavier Gonzalez (Rooster & Man in Window Cast B) is a 14 year old in 8th grade at Polson Middle School. He has been in 30+ shows at Kidz Konnection. He loves Kidz Konnection down to his heart. He just won the Rotary Club Student of the year award. He thanks Ms. Maria and Mrs. Laura for all of their efforts to support this community.

Taylor Mikolay (Lily Cast A) is 12 years old and this is her third show with Kidz Konnection. She also loves to play guitar and sing her heart out to Taylor Swift. She has enjoyed meeting many new friends and would like to thank Ms. Maria and Ms. Laura for being so amazing!

Isla Seales (Lily Cast B) This is Isla's 11th production at Kids Konnection. Isla loves acting, singing, dancing and all things theater. She is especially excited to play Lily. Isla enjoys hanging out with her friends, shopping, sushi, boba and cupcakes. She would like to thank Ms.Laura, Ms.Maria, her friends and family.

Mila Pendergast (Pepper Cast A) is performing in her 12th Kidz Konnection show! She enjoys piano, playing clarinet in Concert Band, singing in Chamber Choir, and representing her class and community via Student Government & Eliot REACT club. She considers the Academy her second home!

Breanna Tregelles (Pepper Cast B) is 11 years old and has been preforming with Kidz Konnection for multiple seasons. Breanna loves to sing, dance, and act. She also enjoys playing field hockey. Breanna would love to thank Ms. Laura, Ms. Maria, her family and friends for all the love and support.

Regly De La Rosa (Molly Cast A) is in 5th grade in Clinton. She has been acting since she was 8. She loves music, singing, dancing, playing piano, and spending time with her friends. Kidz Konnection is her second home. She would like to thank Ms. Laura and Miss Maria for all their hard work and support!

Yasmine Oumay (Molly Cast B) was born in Marrakech, Morocco and moved to America at 5 years old. After living in New York, she fueled her love for Broadway and performances by taking classes in dance, music and acting. She has been with Kidz Connection since summer of 2023 and thanks all directors for their support.

Madeline Stevens (Duffy Cast A) This is Madeline's third show with Kidz Konnection. Maddie has loved learning the role of "Duffy" and is excited to be in the show Annie! She also loves lacrosse, fishing, reading, creating her own plays, and spending time with her friends and family.

Lily Bertelli (Duffy Cast B) is 11 years old and this is her 12th show. When she is not at Kidz Konnection she is reading, riding her skateboard, or drawing. She would like to thank Ms. Maria and Ms. Laura for providing her with her favorite place to be, and her family for supporting her.

Sloane St. Pierre (Kate Cast A) is a 12 year old at WIS. This is her 7th year performing with Kids Konnection with her favorite role being Matilda. When not performing, she loves soccer & hanging out with friends. Sloane would like to thank her friends, family, Ms. Maria, and Ms. Laura for their support through the years.

Emma Goldschmidt (Kate Cast B) is 11 years old in Fifth grade and has been in Kidz Konnection since she was 4 she loves to sing, dance and draw. She loved the 7 years she was here and can't wait for her next show! And would love to thank Mrs Maria, Mrs Laura, her friends and family for supporting her this long!

Nola Flaherty (Tessie Cast A) is 12 years old and has been at Kidz Konnection since she was eight. Nola enjoys acting, singing, and drawing. She is excited for Annie and cant wait for the show.

Kate Ethier (Tessie Cast B) is 11 years old and from Guilford.She has been in many shows, some of her favorite roles include; Young Cossette (Les Mis), Wendy (Peter Pan) and LeFou (Beauty & the Beast).Outside of acting Kate loves spending time with friends and family and would like to thank Miss.Laura and Miss.Maria.

Lydia Johns (July Cast A) is 13 years old and this is her fifth show with Kidz Konnection! Lydia loves her KK family and would like to thank everyone, especially Ms. Laura, Ms. Maria, and Ms. Stacey. When she’s not at theater, Lydia loves to dance, ski, hang out with friends, and play with her two Siberian cats.

Adelynn Lalka (July Cast B) , has participated in three other productions with Kidz Konnection over the last year. When she's not on stage, she plays goalie on her soccer team, is a Girl Scout, avid reader and awesome big sister. Big thanks to Ms. Laura and Ms. Marie for helping her grow her acting skills!

Kelsi Lewis (Sandy Both Casts) 11 years old, has been performing with Kidz Konnection for 5 years now and has loved every minute! She was always the little girl twirling down the hallway in school and singing all day long. Now she does it on stage! A joy to everyone around her, Kelsi is nothing short of awesome.

Emmaline Dowling-Moreno (Ms. Bundles & Apple

Seller Cast A) Emme is 11 years old and this is her second play with Kidz Konnection. Emme loves cats, dancing, and singing. She is really looking forward to doing her next play with Kidz Konnection, and more good times with her friends!

Colton Schroder (Mr. Bundles & Dog Catcher Cast B) is in 5th grade at Lyme Consolidated School. This will be his 7th show with the Academy. He is so excited for Annie! Besides spending time at The Academy, he enjoys fishing and boating in the summer and playing with his dog Sandy.

Sante Gallagher (Healy & Drake Cast A) is 12 years old and is super excited for his second performance with Kids Konnection. Sante is an imaginative being who loves creating and drawing comic book stories and constructing action figures with elaborate origin stories. He is very thankful to be exploring theater.

Dylan Okasha (Healy & Drake Cast B) A talented 5thgrade student from Essex Elementary school, he joined Kidz Konnection in Spring of 2023. He graced our stage in Disney's Descendants, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Hansel and Gretel, and now Peter Pan!

Pietra Moradi (Lt. Ward, Star to Be, & Mrs. Greer Cast A) is 13 years old and very excited to be in Annie. She’d like to thank Ms. Laura, Ms. Maria and her family for supporting her on stage.

Avery Ehlert (Lt. Ward, Star to Be, & Mrs. Greer Cast B) is 11 years old and is loving her second play with Kidz Konnection. She is loving the imagination and commitment of her cast mates. Avery is so thankful for the patience and dedication of Ms Maria and Ms. Laura, who she says always make things fun!

Caitlin Antoniou (Apple Seller & Annette Cast B) is a fourth grader. This is her 1st production at Kidz Konnection. She loves swimming and enjoys painting, playing the piano and singing. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Calleigh Beck (Mrs. Pugh & Usherette Cast A) is 16 years old. She has been performing with Kidz Konnection since 2016. Her past roles include Grimhilde in Descendants, Ms. Lark in Mary Poppins, and Madame in Cinderella. Calleigh loves to sing and act. She is forever grateful to Ms. Laura and Ms. Maria for their support.

Paige Erwin (Mrs. Pugh & Usherette Cast B) is in seventh grade and loves to act, play softball, do gymnastics, and write stories. Paige enjoys acting at Kidz Konnection and looks forward to her next play

Emma McMillan (Dog Catcher, Annette & Sound Effect

Person Cast A) is 10 years old and this is her first performance with Kidz Konnection. Emma loves to sign and perform on stage. One day she would like to play Elphaba in Wicked. Emma also enjoys competitive swimming and drawing. She looks forward to continuing and growing as an actress.

Ellianna Poulard (Cecile & Radio Announcer Cast A) is a 10 year old with a passion for singing, dancing, and acting. She is excited for her debut production with Kidz Konnection. She has loved her time there learning and making new friends. Elle would like to thank her teachers and her friends for making this such a wonderful experience!

Olivia Rivera (Cecile, Radio Announcer & Sound Effect

Person Cast B) is 11 years old. She really enjoys theater and shines when she is on stage. She participated in the musicals at HKIS and is excited for her second performance at Kidz Konnection. When not on stage Olivia enjoys swim and horseback riding. She would like thank Ms. Maria for her patience