DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Welcome to Valley Christian Summer Theatre, and our production of Moana JR! This has quickly become one of my most favorite Disney films with its sweeping score, beautiful honoring of Polynesian culture, and gorgeous animations. We are thrilled to bring it to life on the VCT stage. As you watch our talented cast and crew embark on Moana’s journey, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the ancient yet vibrant world of Oceania.
Moana is a tale of courage, discovery, and the power of believing in oneself... with a little help and encouragement from those that surround us - the people that God puts in our paths. Through Moana’s determination to restore harmony to her island and reconnect with her roots, we are reminded of the importance of resilience and following our own paths, even when faced with what may seem like insurmountable challenges. And that is something we have focused on here in Summer Theatre Camp — realizing that we are never alone, even when we feel like we simply cannot go on.
Our camp this year has been first and foremost about FUN, which I think your student has had in spades. We have laughed together, sung together, painted together, danced together, played together, and bonded as a community, which is one of our goals here at Valley Christian Theatre.
As you join Moana on her quest across the ocean, I invite you to let your imagination soar. Whether you’re experiencing this story for the first time or revisiting it once more, may you find inspiration in Moana’s bravery and the enduring message of hope that resonates throughout. Thank you for joining us on this voyage, and for entrusting us with your most precious cargo. Now sit back, relax, and prepare to be swept away by the magic of Moana JR!
Warm regards,
Myra (Khawaja ’94) Kaelin Director, Summer Theatre
K-12 Director of Theatre Arts, Valley Christian School
June 27 & 28 | 6:00pm
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, OPETAIA FOA‘I & MARK MANCINA
BOOK ADAPTED BY SUSAN SOON HE STANTON
MUSICAL NUMBERS
In the Beginning… Ancestors
Tulou Tagaloa .......................................................................................................................... Ocean
Where You Are.............. Chief Tui, Sina, Moana, Hei Hei, Pua, Gramma Tala, Villagers
How Far I’ll Go Moana, Pua, Hei Hei, Ocean
We Know the Way Ancestors
Where You Are (Reprise) ..................................................................................... Gramma Tala
How Far I’ll Go (Reprise) .................................................. Moana, Chief Ancestors, Ocean
You’re Welcome Maui, Maui Ensemble
Warrior Face (Parts 1 & 2) Maui, Moana
Warrior Face (Part 3) ............................................. Maui, Moana, Gate Monster, Monsters
Shiny ....................................................... Tamatoa, Left Claw, Right Claw, Shiny Ensemble
Warrior Face (Reprise)/Logo Te Pate Moana, Maui, Ocean
Song of the Ancestors ..................................................... Gramma Tala, Moana, Ancestors
Know Who You Are ............................................................................................... Moana, Ocean
Te Fiti Restored Ocean
Tulou Tagaloa (Reprise) Ocean
We Know the Way (Finale) .................................... Moana, Chief Tui, Sina, Pua, Hei Hei, Bows Company
Ancestors, Villagers, Ocean
CAST
(in order of appearance)
Chief Ancestors EVA LUNDGAARD, CHLOE NYBERG, ELIZABETH STUDER
Moana HANNAH PAQUIZ
Chief Tui AYDEN BABISH
Sina AUBREY SANTOS
Hei Hei ................................................................................................SOYUL (KAYLEEN) CHOO
Pua ........................................................................................................................ SOFIA UMANSKY
Gramma Tala .......................................................................................................... ASHLEY PHAM
Maui .......................................................................................................................... JOSHUA PHAM
Gate Monster ............................................... CADEN MALINOWSKI, KATHERINE MEYER, VEDUR VERMA
Tamatoa AASHNA MAHATO
Left Claw GRACELYN SILVA
Right Claw CHARLEY MERK
Te Kā / Te Fiti .............................................................................................................. EMILY RANK
ENSEMBLE
Ancestors ..............................................................
MATTEA BLAUMAN, NAIYLA LAWSON, CHARLEY MERK, ADDISON MORROW, EMILY RANK, AAKARSHA VARADARAJAN, SARAH VINOTH
Ocean ................................................................... JACK LEE-MESSER, KATHERINE MEYER, CHELSEY PARK, SIYA RASTOGI, JULIANNA ROBERTSON, VEDUR VERMA
Villagers ............................ CHLOE COCHRAN, TIFFANY HAN, CADEN MALINOWSKI, MAHI NANDA, GRACELYN SILVA, CHARLOTTE VAN DER VEEN, JIAYIN YAO, ALLISON ZHONG
Maui Ensemble MATTEA BLAUMAN, NAIYLA LAWSON, AAKARSHA VARADARAJAN, SARAH VINOTH
Shiny Ensemble
MAHI NANDA, ADDISON MORROW, CHARLOTTE VAN DER VEEN
ProductION Team
Director MYRA KAELIN
Vocal Director ...................................................................................
Choreographer ..................................................................................................
Assistant Choreographer ...................................................
Technical Director & Scenic Design
Costume Design
Assistant Technical Director & Lighting Design
McPHERSON (’07)
(’17)
Sound
House Manager & Graphic Design
Camp Counselors
BIOGRAPHIES
Myra Kaelin Director
A founding member of Valley Christian Theatre, Myra holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education (University of Northern Colorado) and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance (Santa Clara University). Throughout her nearly twenty years as an educator, she has also worked extensively with various local community theatre companies both on and off the stage, including serving as President of the Board of Directors for South Valley Civic Theatre. Directing credits include Into the Woods, Twelfth Night, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Crucible, Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly!, You Can’t Take It With You, Guys & Dolls, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Producers, City of Angels, God’s Favorite, Harvey, and The Fantasticks, among others. During the 2020-2021 school year, she spearheaded and directed two fully produced and filmed online productions for VCS: Godspell , and Check Please . She would not be here today without the unflinching support of her husband, Michael, and her three beautiful children, Lucia, Oliver, and Ginger. Glory to God in all things!
Layna Chianakas Vocal Director
In a career that has spanned over three decades, Stage Director, Voice Teacher, and operatic Mezzo-Soprano Layna Chianakas has portrayed over fifty leading opera roles across the United States, including over eighty performances of Carmen. As an award-winning opera stage director for the past thirteen years, her most recent win was the 2021 American Prize for Opera Production for Livermore Valley Opera’s double-bill of Zemlinsky’s A Florentine Tragedy and Pucinni’s Gianni Schicchi, and the National Opera Association third prize for Postcard from Morocco for the San José State Opera Theater. For Opera San José, she has directed La Voix humaine, Hansel & Gretel, Carmen, and Il barbiere di Siviglia . Most recently she directed The Light In the Piazza for Opera Santa Barbara, La Bohème for Santa Cruz Opera Project, Tosca for Amarillo Opera and Carmen for Indianapolis Opera. In addition to a thriving private voice studio, Moana JR. marks Ms. Chianakas’s 9th production as Vocal Director for Valley Christian Theatre. “Prof C” thanks Myra Kaelin and her wonderful students for allowing her to be a part of this incredible theatre program!
Kate Roth is an actor, voice-over artist, dancer, and singer. Originally from Northern California, she received degrees in Musical Theatre and Education at the University of Southern California, and now splits her time between LA and NYC. Kate has appeared in numerous commercials, voice-overs, feature films, music videos and musicals. She currently voices multiple reoccurring characters on two Netflix series, and can be seen acting on TV in a City Furniture commercial and as a featured dancer in two music videos for Joyner Lucas. Kate’s career began in musical theatre and commercial dance, and quickly expanded, creating her to be the diverse performance artist she is today. In addition to performing, Kate loves to share her passion for the arts through directing, choreographing, teaching, judging, and the creation of original works.
Kate Roth Choreographer
Giving PLANNED
The Shechem Oak Society empowers our community to make an extraordinary impact on future generations. The society comprises all who generously bequeath legacy gifts to Valley Christian Schools.
God assured Abraham of keeping His promise to grant the land to Abraham’s descendants. Shechem holds a significant place in this narrative—it’s where Jacob excavated a well and erected an altar, where Joseph’s family laid his remains to rest, where Joshua delivered his parting words in service to the Lord, and where Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman at the well (Genesis 12:6, 33:18, Joshua 24:26, John 4:12). Shechem stands as a powerful symbol of God’s faithfulness across generations. We fervently pray that VCS, like Shechem, will serve as a reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness in Silicon Valley and worldwide.
At a time when many American educational institutions are straying from biblical values, you can ensure that Valley Christian Schools continues its Quest for Excellence™ for future generations. Join us in providing high-quality Christ-centered education to our children and grandchildren by including VCS in your will.
VCS partners with Thompson & Associates to offer confidential and complimentary estate planning consultations to our board members, administrators, faculty, staff, and community. Join my wife, Kris, myself, and others in discovering the most tax-efficient means of transferring your estate to benefit your family and your passions.
As a trusted member of our VCS community, please accept our gift to you and arrange your estate planning consultation with Darren Penny of Thompson & Associates. You may email advancement@vcs.net or call my office at 408-513-2503. If you have already included VCS in your planned giving, kindly inform us so we may include you in our Shechem Oak Society.
Looking forward,
Clifford E. Daugherty, Ed.D. President
WARRIOR FUND
Tuition funds operations. Philanthropy fuels vision. Every gift makes a difference, so please consider donating to the Warrior Fund today.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 5, 2025
Join us for our annual Quest Ball dinner and auction. Enjoy a night to honor and celebrate the Warrior legacy and Extend the Gift for current and future Warriors. vcs.net/questball
May 12, 2025
We look forward to welcoming the VCS community for a round of golf and a day of fellowship at the annual Golf Classic. vcs.net/golfclassic
Wherever you may be, we’re always here to support our amazing alumni like you.
As you continue to make a positive difference in communities around the world, we want to stay connected! We currently have 29 ambassadors all over the country that have connected with fellow alums near them. This past year we have visited 11 cities across the US and look forward to hosting an alumni dinner near you soon. Simply scan the QR code and fill out our “Alumni Connect Form” to stay updated on news and events. Let us know about where you’ve been, where you’re headed and stay connected with us today!
MISSION STATEMENT
Valley Christian Schools’ mission is to provide a nurturing environment o ering quality education supported by a strong foundation of Christian values in partnership with parents, equipping students to become leaders to serve God, to serve their families, and to positively impact their communities and the world.
VISION STATEMENT
A world where every student pursues their personal Quest for Excellence™
FOUNDING STATEMENT
Valley Christian Schools supports the homes and churches of students in providing an education that is grounded in the Judeo-Christian values of the Bible, as reflected in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. Valley Christian Schools is committed to a Quest for Excellence™ in all of its educational programs, and provides a comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade curriculum with a rigorous college preparatory program. Firmly founded on Christian values, Valley Christian Schools challenges youth to aspire toward lives of character, service and influence while pursuing their individual Quests for Excellence
valleychristian vcs_warriors
