PR E SEN T S
Production of
Music and Lyrics by
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i & Mark Mancina Book Adapted by
Susan Soon He Stanton Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by
Ian Weinberger Based on the 2016 Disney film Moana
WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, videotapes or videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine.
DISNEY’S MOANA JR. is presented through special arrangement with MTI. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
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Director
Hester Kamin Lighting Design
Craig Walck Properties
Gabrielle Lansden
Music Director
Cynthia Dallas Scenic Design
Mike Santos Stage Manager
Kenzie Currie
Co-Choreographers
Hester Kamin Kona Garcia ( Kumu Hula) Costume Design
MaryAnne McKerrow Sound Design
Bradley Van Houten
Season Dramaturg
Ricki Baker
August 7-10, 2020 • BLACKBURN HALL Executive Artistic Director, Bryce Alexander Education Director, Hester Kamin Education Stage Manager, Kenzie Currie
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Cast
(in alphabetical order) C h i e f A n c e s t o r…................................................... I S A B E L L A A N T U N E S Gramma Tala........................................................................SADE BASSA N Chie f Tui…..................................................................C H R I S T I A N B O F F P ua…................................................................... S A M A N T H A C A L L E J A M o a n a…................................................................... A L E X I S C A M I N A Chief Ancestor….................................................................... LISA CASTRO Claw........................................................................T UC K ER CL A R EMON T Tamatoa…..................................................................... DA N I E L L A F LOM Chief Ancestor...........................................................JORDA N G ERSB ACH Maui…............................................................... N A P H TA IL DA J E A N C H A R L E S Claw..........................................................................C A S S I E L E T E N D R E Hei Hei…........................................................................C A S SIDY L E V ENS Te F i t i......................................................................H A D L E Y M U R P H E Y Sina….....................................................................................LOREL AI VEGA Ensemble…............................... A LEEN A A RICO, K A RIN A NGU YEN BA LDWIN, TUCKER CL AREMONT, JORDAN CRAWFORD, JACLYN DILLS, EMMA EASTMAN, LILY FLETCHER, NAPHTAISHA JEAN CHARLES, OLIVIA L ACHANCE, CASSIE LETENDRE, HADLEY MURPHEY, SAVANNAH OUVERSON, KENNY TRAN
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Crew A s sis t ant S t age Manager s….............................M anda Smith, A my Tr an Assistant Director/Choreographer…..................................Sydney Richards Hip-Hop Choreographers….................................Sade Bassan, Lisa Castro Backstage Crew…..............................................Carolyn D’Arco, Olivia Zizzi Light Board Operator…......................................................Deb Wesolowski Audio Engineer…..........................................................Bradley Van Houten A 2….................................................Joel Banow, Max Klein, Rachel Lingsch Dressing Room Monitors…..................Sierra Khan, Pamela L arkin Caruso, Riley Letendre Flies…...............................................Sebastian Casado Mendez, Hunter Reum Costume Construction…..................Jack Cole, Louise Eliot, Laurie Heaver, K athleen Kolacz, John McKerrow, Jean Snyder, Jane S teele Set Construction & Scenic Design…..........................Kevin Buja, Roger Clark, Ed Ezrine, Sapphira Koerner, Steve Lee, Ray Marasco, Jeff Smith, Jerry Vancina SPECIAL THANKS:
Photographers - Karen & Drew Attanasio
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A Bit of Background The first time we saw Moana on screen was in November 2016 when the 3D computer-animated musical adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation was released. (This was Disney’s 56th animated feature.) It had songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical genius behind Hamilton. Moana was released to positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its animation, music, and vocal performances. It received two Academy Award nominations at the 89th Academy Awards: one for Best Animated Feature and another for Best Original Song (“How Far I’ll Go”). Moana JR – also from Disney – is an hour-long adaptation of the movie designed to bring this wonderful, inspirational story to the stage. And, happily for Moana’s fans and audiences, all of the wonderful songs from the film are in the play.
The Messages of
Moana
This play has lots to teach us today – ALL of us, of any age - even though the story takes place 3,000 years ago! Unlike 16-year-old Moana, most of us will not ever be called upon to save the world, our island, or even our village. But the lessons she learns are important for everyone. Moana lives far away in a place we know today as Polynesia, among the islands of Hawaii, Tonga, and Tahiti. She’s strong-willed and independent, chosen by her father to succeed him as the next great chief of her village. This is her destiny. Moana knows that there’s a “whole world out there,” and she’s curious and adventuresome. Her grandmother is Moana’s guide to the outside world and to the inside world of her personal fears and dreams. This journey to self-discovery and forming lasting friendships was dangerous for Moana, as it can be for everyone, as she learns to be brave and find the hero within herself.
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According to her grandmother, Moana must listen to the voice inside her own head that will tell her who she really is. When others tell her not to “leave the reef,” they are really expressing their own fears about taking chances or going beyond where they themselves feel safe and comfortable. Yet, it is exactly because she becomes a ‘wayfinder’ and learns to summon her inner courage that Moana learns she has been a warrior all along. When the voice inside tells her, “You can do it!” she learns more and more to believe in herself – and so becomes a great chief.
NEW WORDS to Learn from Moana JR As you watch the play and see how important these words are to your understanding and enjoyment, there are a few other things you might want to think about as well.
Demigod This a word that a lot of us have heard, but few can define. Actually, there are many ways to define a demigod. A demigod can be someone who is part human or even a minor god. In ancient Greece, dead heroes were sometimes thought of as demigods. The word can describe a person with great powers and abilities or a person so outstanding as to seem almost divine. So, who would you say is a demigod in the play? And who can you name who might be thought of as a demigod in real life? Hint: think about sports figures!
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NEW WORDS to Learn from Moana JR (continued) Shapeshifter The idea of shapeshifting is anything but new; it goes all the way back to ancient Greece. This is a person or being with the ability to change from one physical form to another. Most importantly: shapeshifters aren’t real, but they certainly are all around us in movies, books, stories, and legends. (Think vampires and werewolves!) They shapeshift by using superhuman ability, divine intervention, or sorcery. Sometimes their ability to do so is inherited. Shapeshifters appear in Star Trek, the Twilight Saga, and Doctor Who. What can you add to this list? Who is the shapeshifter in Moana JR?
Wayfinding Wayfinding in our world of today means pretty much what it says: finding your way. It encompasses all of the ways in which people (and animals) orient themselves in their physical space and navigate from one place to another. Here’s a great example of wayfinders: After monarch butterflies are born, they fly thousands of miles from home to lay their eggs. Their babies are born as caterpillars, and once they emerge from their cocoons as monarch butterflies, they fly back to where their parents were born. The explanation for their migration is not known, but they’ve been doing it for centuries! But the word has a special meaning in the play. Moana uses wayfinding by seeing where she wants to go in her mind first - which allows her not only to make a plan, but to deal with her fears and not be held back by them! By the end, she has become an expert wayfinder, becoming a chief and leading her people.
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CAST BIOGRAPHIES Isabella Antunes (Chief Ancestor) is thrilled to be in another KidzAct production. She is so happy to be back at the theater once again. She would like to thank her friends and family for all their support and Hester and the staff for all the direction and help. Also, a special thanks to Kona for all his work on the dance in the production. Enjoy the show! CHEEHOO! Aleena Arico ( Ensemble) is going into 8th grade at The Village School. She is so happy to have the oppor tunity to rehearse and perform live! Her past theatre experience includes Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Annie, Matilda, The Little Mermaid, Junie B. Jones, and Once on This Island. Aleena is happiest when she is singing and performing and is thrilled to be part of this production of Moana JR. She would like to thank Ms. Hester and the crew for all that they do. Karina Nguyen Baldwin ( Ensemble) is so excited to be per forming in her 7th Kidz Act production. She thanks her family and friends for their continued love and support. She’s enjoyed singing, dancing, and performing in a variety of many productions, recitals, and showcases since
she was 3. She is so excited to be back this year, especially through these tough times! Sade Bassan (Gramma Tala/US Maui) is a Gulf Coast High School graduate and will be pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at the University of Tampa come Fall 2020. She has been the assistant stage manager previously for two KidzAct shows; this is her first time performing with the KidzAct program. Her recent credits include Narrator/ Into the Woods and Shayna (Dynamite Girl)/ Hairspray. She is very excited to return to the stage one final time before going off to college. She would like to thank all her mentors here at TNP and her close friends and family for continuing to support her on her theatrical journey. Christian Boff (Chief Tui) is 16 years old and has been doing theatre for eight years. Inspired by his younger sister and the musical movies he watched, he enjoys becoming characters in his favorite musicals and making new friends. Theatre is a drive that keeps pushing him to be outgoing and strive for success. The Naples Players is awesome, and he thanks them for the ability to continue acting during the school year. Enjoy the show!
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CAST BIOGRAPHIES Samantha Calleja (Pua) Having found a love of acting, Samantha has enjoyed being in numerous summer camps and school performances since the age of 4. She has been cast in roles such as Molly in Annie JR (KidzAct) and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (CSN). In her free time Samantha enjoys fishing, sewing, and cooking. Alexis Camina (Moana) is a junior at St. John Neumann High School and is so happy to be back in the theater. This is her 5th show at TNP. Her most recent shows included Mamma Mia! Teen and I Never Saw Another Butterfly. She is very proud of how far we’ve come and so excited for you all to see this amazing show!!! Lisa Castro (Chief Ancestor) has been in shows almost her whole life, from per forming in New York, to moving here and being involved just as much. Recent shows include Into the Woods, Footloose, and Mamma Mia! Teen at TNP and The Man Who Came to Dinner playing Banjo. She would like to thank her dad and her two best friends Sade and Susu for always putting up with her. Enjoy the show!
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Tucker Claremont (Claw/ Ensemble / US Tamatoa) is 12 years old and attends the Community School of Naples. His recent productions have been: As You Like It as Silvius, Frozen JR as Oaken, Once on This Island JR as a narrator, and many more. Outside the theater, he enjoys cycling, riding horses, and playing with his dogs. He is thrilled to have a role in such an amazing show and would like to thank Hester, Cindy, and Kenzie for making this possible. Enjoy the show! Jordan Crawford (Ensemble) is in 10th grade at the Village School. She is very happy to play the role of Ensemble in Moana JR. She was recently seen as Junie B. in Junie B Jones. She would like to thank her family for driving her to all the practices and supporting her, as well as Hester, Manda, Amy, and Kenzie for being the most amazing crew. Jaclyn Dills (Ensemble) just graduated and has been doing shows since her junior year in high school. Her most recent shows were Into the Woods and Footloose at Gulf Coast. She is also currently in Thoroughly Modern Millie at NPAC. She wants to thank her friends and family for all their love and support and will miss them all.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES Emma Eastman ( Ensemble ) is so happy Moana JR is happening despite Coronavirus. She can’t wait to help spread happiness in this tough time. This is her 5th show at TNP. She thanks her mom for allowing her to do this and driving every day, and her dad for giving her singing and acting tips. Lily Fletcher (Ensemble) is very excited to be in the production of Moana JR. She has loved the theater since she was seven because she is passionate about sharing the joy of acting with other people. Acting, singing, and dancing for people is her dream. Daniella Flom (Tamatoa) is so excited to finally be performing at the theatre again! She’d like to thank everyone who was involved in this production for making it so amazing. And special thanks to Kona for teaching us hula and Pacific Island culture! Past roles include Genie in Aladdin JR and Annie in Annie JR.
Jordan Gersbach (Chief Ancestor/US Moana) is 16 years old and a student a t B a r r o n C o lli e r H i g h School. She would like to thank everyone involved with this show, especially Manda. She hopes you enjoy the show. Naphtaisha Jean Charles (Ensemble) is 12 years old and is a rising 7th grader. This is her first KidzAct production. She is excited to be a part of the experience. Naphtailda Jean Charles ( M a u i ) i s E X T R E M E LY excited to be back on The Blackburn stage, especially with her first ever genderbent role ! Her recent productions include Into the Woods (The Witch) and Mamma Mia! Teen (Rosie). She would like to thank Mr. Kona for his wonderful teachings of the Pacific cultures. Hope you enjoy this show – it’s going to ROCK :)
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CAST BIOGRAPHIES Olivia LaChance (Ensemble) is excited to be performing in her first show with KidzAct in the production of Moana JR. This will be her sixth performance with previous productions that include: Magic Tree House: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens as Charles Dickens, Madagascar JR, The Hobbit, and most recently Tuck Everlasting. She would like to thank the directors, choreographers, and the cast for making this an amazing experience. Enjoy the show! Cassie Letendre (Claw/Ensemble) is from Por tsmouth, RI and has been performing for most of her life as an actor, singer, and dancer. She has been in many theatrical productions, including Frozen JR and As You Like It with TNP. Cassie wants to thank Hester and the entire cast and crew of Moana JR for all of their hard work and hopes everyone enjoys the show! Cassidy Levens (Hei Hei) is in the 7th grade. She at tends Oakridge Middle School. This show is her 5th show and she is so excited to be included. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her for doing theatre. A special thanks goes to her mom for driving her.
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Hadley Murphey ( Te F i t i / E n s e m b l e ) i s ecstatic to be in Moana JR. Some of her favorite shows she has been in are Madagascar JR, Frozen JR, As You Like It, Seussical JR, and FAME! She would like to thank the incredible cast and crew for putting on a show on such short notice! Enjoy the show! Savannah Ouverson (Ensemble) is so excited to be in the production of Moana JR. She is a ballerina and dances at Angelic Academy of Dance. She loves coming to The Naples Players and is happy to be a part of this amazing show. Enjoy! Kenny Tran ( Ensemble ) is a rising Senior at Gulf Coast High School. He is very excited to be a part of the Moana JR Ensemble! This is his first musical experience at The Naples Players. He hopes you enjoy the show! Tapenapena! Lorelai Vega (Sina) is 14 and so excited to be in Moana JR ! She is beyond happy to be back at the theatre doing what she loves after a long break of chaos. She hopes you enjoy the show!
CREW BIOGRAPHIES
Kenzie Currie ( Stage Manager) is from Minneapolis, MN. She graduated in 2018 with her degree in Integrated S t r a t e gi c C o mmu ni c a tions and Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She previously worked at The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Millbrook Playhouse in Pennsylvania, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in Illinois. She is thankful to have the opportunity to bring art to an incredibly difficult time. Cynthia Dallas ( Music Director) started her theatre career in Philadelphia, where she spent a busy decade as conductor a nd mu sic dir e c t o r f o r both regional and equity productions and was on the theatre staff of 3 universities. She also served as choral contractor for the Pennsylvania Ballet and sang on PBS with Pavarotti. She is currently in her 32nd season with the Naples Philharmonic. She has spent three full seasons on the KidzAct education staff, and is in her sixth year as Music Director of the Bay Singers in Bonita Springs.
Kona Garcia (Co-Choreographer) is kumu hula (hula master/teacher) of Halau Hula O Na Liko A‘o Puna, South Florida’s only traditional school of Hawaiian dance and culture. He was raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i and began his hula training at the age of 3 under his great grandmother Polita Johnson. Kona later continued his studies under renowned kumu hula Johnny Lum Ho and Rae Fonseca. He has taught hula in Fort Lauderdale since 2012 where his students range from ages 4 through 65. His students have won numerous awards and top prizes at Ho‘ike Hawai‘i, placing in both solo and group categories. He is also a musician and serves as choreographer at the Mai Kai Polynesian show. Kona is always happy to share the Hawaiian culture with everyone he meets and is excited to bring a part of his heritage to Naples.
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CREW BIOGRAPHIES
Hester Kamin ( D ir e c t o r / C o - C ho r e o g rapher) is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University ( Phi Beta Kappa) and of the Jacques Lecoq International School of Theatre in Paris, and she is the recipient of the American Federation of Television and Radio Ar tists National Award, the Academy of Paris Award for Contribution to Arts and Culture, and the Academy of American Poets Prize. She has performed since she was a child and has created, directed, and choreographed more than two hundred shows with children and adults throughout the US, Europe, and Samoa. Recent favorites include Shipwrecked (The Tempest) with Gulfshore Playhouse and The Naples Philharmonic, Scapino at Kinetic Theatre, and I Never Saw Another Butterfly at The Naples Players. Hester has been Co-Ar tistic Director of bilingual Drama Ties Theatre in Paris, Youth Theatre Associate of Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and Director of Education of five regional theatres. She created the education programs at t wo historic theatres : the 1400-seat Hawaii Theatre and Bucks County Playhouse, and she has initiated partnerships with organizations all over the world, including the Honolulu Symphony, the Hawaii State Art Museum, and the Naples Philharmonic at Artis-Naples. She has been a guest artist at Florida Repertory Theatre, Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, and 14
NYC’s Spoke the Hub Dance Center. Hester is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild of America, an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and a proud volunteer at Shy Wolf Sanctuary. Hester thanks the extraordinary cast and crew for their beautiful work and dedicates this production to her friends and students in the Pacific Islands, where she lived and worked for five years, and especially to Seleena Harkness, Esther Izuo, and Yasmin Dunn for their friendship, patience, and decades of conversations about race, ethnicity, and the profound importance of honoring the culture and stories of people and communities of color. She humbly thanks everyone for trusting her with the story of Moana JR. Gabrielle Lansden ( Properties) has been in love with theatre since she was 7 years old. She studied theatre at FSW and got her A A, and then got her BA in FGCU’s theatre program in 2020. She has been working in props since she started college and has loved it ever since. She also loves to perform in theatre; she has been in She Kills Monsters as Agnes at FSW, Water Stories at FGCU and as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show at New Phoenix Theatre. She thanks her wonderful parents for their love and support and hopes y’all enjoy the show.
CREW BIOGRAPHIES
Mar yA nne McKerrow ( Costume Designer) has been costuming and teaching the young actors of TNP’s KidzAct program since 2005. She recently costumed the double bill of Ginsburg & Scalia and Trial By Jury for Opera Naples. As a performer for TNP she was last seen as Donna in Mamma Mia! Other TNP roles include Elizabeth Benning /Young Frankenstein, Momma Rose /Gypsy, and Madame Thenardier/Les Misérables. Shakespeare In Paradise credits include Mistress Page/ Merry Wives of Windsor, Lady Macbeth / Macbeth A Love Story, Katherine/The Taming of the Shrew, and Hippolyta and Titania /A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sydney Richards (Assistant Director/Choreographer) is thrilled to be working with TNP again! She holds a B.A. in musical theatre with a minor in stage combat from Columbia College Chicago. She has also trained at The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Select Chicago credits: Spring Awakening (Anna u/s), High Fidelity ( Penny). TNP credits: Catch Me If You Can (Stewardess), The Producers ( Ensemble). Instagram: @_sydneyrichards
Michael Santos ( Scenic Designer) most recently designed the sets for She Loves Me, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Mamma Mia!, Guys and Dolls, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at TNP. Other set designs include Chicago, The Music Man, The Rocky Horror Show, These Shining Lives, Catch Me If You Can, The 39 Steps, Legally Blonde, The Mystery of Irma Vep, and The Lion in Winter. Much love to my better half, Judith :-) And as always, a big thank you to the volunteers for doing what they do best. Manda Smith (Asst. Stage Manager) is so pleased to be back as part of the Stage Management team for this beautiful production of Moana JR ! Still emotionally recovering from Bye Bye Birdie being halted mid-run, she is so happy to be back where she belongs. Manda has worked with The Naples Players since 2005, where she started as Assistant Choreographer for the summer KidzAct shows. Manda’s favourite shows to work have been The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Legally Blonde. This is her second year without her sidekick Emmie, who still insists a college education is a good excuse for not working at the theatre. Go Gators! Manda would like to thank her family, her ASM partner in crime Amy Tran, and of course Cole, Hester, and Kenzie. Enjoy the show! 15
CREW BIOGRAPHIES
Amy Tran (Asst. Stage Manager) is happy to finally return to TNP with such a wonderful cast. Her most recent SM credits include Into the Woods and Becky’s New Car, and most recent ASM credits include Mamma Mia! and She Loves Me. She is thankful for all TNP has taught her, Manda for being her partner in crime for this production, as well as her friends for their constant love and support. Bradley Van Houten (Sound Designer) is celebrating his 7th season at TNP. Brad has his bachelor’s degree in Theatre: Design & Technical Production and Theatre: Stage Management from Western Michigan University. Having the pleasure of working Off-Broadway on Soul Doctor and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Brad is happy to be working at a theatre where every day brings on a new challenge. In his time at TNP he has worked on sound on over 80 productions. Select previous credits include Mamma Mia!, Peter and the Starcatcher, Chicago, Maple and Vine, She Kills Monsters, Sister Act, The Rocky Horror Show, The 39 Steps, Something’s Afoot, and Good People.
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Craig Walck ( Lighting Designer) After initially working for TNP from 20 0 0 -20 0 6, Craig returned to TNP in 2011 after a five-year absence, during which he worked for Columbia University, The All-Stars Project, and other theatrical groups in New York City from 2006-2008. He then oversaw the completion of construction, opening, and first two years of operation of the Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar, FL from 2008-2011. Overall, Craig has designed the lighting for over 150 TNP productions. Originally from Niagara Falls, N.Y., and a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, he once again calls Naples his home with his wife, Jessica, and their kids (dogs) Ziggy, Twoey, and Roscoe.
OUR MISSION The Naples Players continually seeks to enrich, educate and entertain our community through a superior theatre experience. We are a premier community theatre, seeking to inspire passion for the performing arts through unparalleled access to the process, experience, and conversations surrounding the arts and our community. Thank you for supporting our mission!
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