Increase Miller Community Reaches for the Stars with Production of Moana Jr.

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Audience Shots

On Wednesday May 14 when Camilla Tucker took the stage for the production of Moana Jr, there was a struggle evident on the face of the Increase Miller 5th grader. With her family and cousins in one corner, she said, “I was trying to hold back my smile.” But the audience didn’t have a chance in that regard, and the lead actor’s mom expressed the inevitable extension of the joyous sentiment.

“I couldn’t stop crying,” Krista Tucker exuded.

River Baldotto-Gehrels definitely wasn’t going for tears, though. He played Maui, a mischievous fallen demigod, and the young actor felt the pressure of being the comic relief. “I was worried,” he admitted.

Not lasting, his first punch line hit, and there was no hiding this emotion. A little smile, the way forward was assured. “The laughs made me feel very confident,” said Baldotto-Gehrels,

The proof was provided as the play progressed. “I changed some of my stuff to make it more funny,” he clarified.

The actor’s comedy wasn’t a solo act either. Noah Laufer-Correia confidently came out in the middle of the play as Tamatoa and sang a musical number that had the audience following his lead. Still, the young comedian was more introspective about what he gets out of putting on a show. “I like acting so much because it enlightens me,” the 5th grader explained.

That left to his left hand or Left Claw to provide an actual review. “Noah was sick,” boasted TJ Ferrarone, who sang the trio number with Laufer-Correia and Lila Goldstein.

Of course, not everyone came in ready to kill and getting up to speed was a process. “At first, it was kind of scary. But then once you start acting it becomes better,” said Anika Miklusak.

Still, her thoughts went beyond acting and into the overall learning curve. “Even if stuff is confusing and difficult, you can get through it,” said Miklusak.

A team never hurts, and this production had a big one. “We had over 30 parent volunteers,” said director April Higgins. “It’s unheard of to have so much support.”

Costume, set designers and organization activity, Allie Perrelle could concur from the front lines. “We had mom meetings like you wouldn’t believe,” Perrelle revealed.

Allaying the nervousness, on the other hand, was beyond any preparation but not for herself. “I was nervous because she was nervous,” mom referred to her daughter Lily Perrelle.

Success didn’t require a broken leg, though. “She was amazing,” Perrelle said.

Even so, like any play, cast and crew must be prepared for the unexpected, and the director made the prospect part of the lesson plan. “No matter what happens, just keep pushing forward, keep smiling,” conveyed Higgins, “it doesn’t matter what happens.”

And on this night, the main glitch involved several instances of feedback from the speaker system. No problem, the kids were well schooled. “They’re pros,” beamed Higgins. “They didn’t even blink an eye.”

Tucker definitely could attest. Acting up a couple times during her numbers, she was with the program. “I would play along with it, and wait for the speakers to go back because it was a click on, click off,” she explained.

Powering through, the lead had a key takeaway from the overall experience. “Practice will show up in your performance,” Tucker asserted.

It goes even higher than that, according to Asimina Limniatis. “I like acting because it allows you to reach for the stars,” said the young thespian.

She and all these kids, they’re not so far off, and on this night their inspiration took the community with them.