Annie Jr. at Brooklyn Acting Lab

The Spring 2015 production of Annie Jr. marked a list of firsts.

It was Brooklyn Acting Lab’s inaugural mainstage musical production with young actors. We offered a limited one-week engagement at the Actor’s Fund Arts Center, a state-of-the-art black box performance space 160 Schermerhorn Street.

Every child enrolled received a part (or several); every child’s voice was heard in building the production. Casting showcased the ensemble’s unique abilities as actors, singers, and dancers. The ensemble learned from professional artists in their fields, and be are being directed by a creative team that is top-notch! For many of the kids it was their first time playing on a real stage in a real theater with a real audience! For others it was their first time singing or speaking onstage.

For the artist educators of BAL, witnessing and guiding the creative process of this ensemble was a privilege. Our students came together as a collective with a playfulness and delight, worked together respectfully and supported each other throughout the entire process.

The May 2015 performance was a celebration of all of the hard work, laughter, courage, conviction, patience, commitment and love these young players have brought to this beloved musical theater classic. We’d like to thank everyone in the community who supported and attended the show for helping to make this dream come true.

Annie Jr Playbill

Annie Jr. Production Team

KRISTEN LYNCH, DIRECTOR

Kristen Lynch has been creating and directing theater with children for over a decade. Her extensive background, here and abroad, as an actress, dancer, teaching artist, producer and director spans three decades and began in Brooklyn.  Kristen founded Young Players Theater, now Brooklyn Acting Lab, in 2007.

Annie was the musical of my childhood….I cannot wait to rediscover this timeless production with young actors through their fresh eyes! And to do it with this great creative team, with years of experience, eager to work on the project together!

 

CLARE HAMMOOR, DIRECTOR

Clare Hammoor has collaborated with children across the U.S. to devise ensemble-driven theater through workshops, rehearsals and performances. He holds an M.A. in Educational Theater from NYU and brings a child-centered pedagogy to the rehearsal and production process.  Clare has been a teaching artist with YPT for a number of years; in September of last year he joined Young Players Theater’s management team as Director of Education.

STEPHANIE WELLS, MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Stephanie Wells is a Brooklyn based musical director and teacher. She currently works at Kingsborough College, NYU, TADA! Youth Theater and PS 107 After-school Musical Theater Program. Over the past 11 years in NYC, she has played in several bands, worked in many public schools as a teaching artist and has also worked on many shows as MD, most recently The Golden Toad at LaMama. Most recently she finds a huge amount of joy in dancing! It has been a pleasure working with the creative team and cast of Annie Jr!

MOISE MORANCY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Moise Morancy is a 20 year old actor, rapper, director, filmmaker from Brooklyn, New York. Moise has been performing since the age of four. It is his life’s passion. For the last couple of years he’s been extremely active, from performing on Broadway, being on Law & Order, The Affair, and much more. Regarding hip-hop, he’s performed at the famous Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, and many other venues. He’s very excited to be apart YPT’s team. Seeing young children cultivate their talent into wonderful creative art are one of his many joys in his life!

RUTHIE SNOKE, STAGE MANAGER

Ruthie grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She holds a M.A. from NYU Steinhardt in Educational Theatre and was part of the Workout Ensemble at Wheaton College, where she received her B.A. She has always been compelled by personal storytelling, and specializes in devised theater and directing. In addition to teaching, Ruthie has worked on Shakespearean theater in many capacities, including coordinating the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest. She recently appeared as Maria in Arena Theater’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost in Chicago, IL and directed the devised performance piece Doubtful Joy at NYU.

Annie Jr. Sponsors: Daddy Warbucks Level

Grace Farrel ($250)

Ms. Hannigan ($100)

Star to Be ($50+)