Published: November 19, 2008 08:21 am      

CISD to present ‘Annie’

The long-running cartoon strip of an optimistic orphan who is befriended by a millionaire comes alive on stage this week with Cleburne High School’s children’s production of “Annie.”

The CHS Theatre Arts Department will present the musical version of the stage play to elementary students this week during school-day matinees.

A community performance will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school’s Don Smith Performing Arts Center.

Cleburne senior Julie Morrison plays the lead role of Annie. Her acting credentials include a supporting role in “Sweet Nothing in My Ear,” named UIL One Act Play District and Zone Champion in 2008 and study at New York City’s Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School of Film and Television.

Senior Seth Cunningham plays Daddy Warbucks. Cunningham’s CHS children production experiences include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” JoJo Starks, who was in the cast of “Sweet Nothing in My Ear,” plays Miss Hannigan, caretaker for all the “little girls” housed at the orphanage Annie calls home.

CHS Theatre Arts veteran Garrett Whitehead, a junior, will play Hannigan’s crook of a brother, Rooster, with Maressa Quinn portraying his ditzy girlfriend, Lily St. Regis. Rounding out the leading roles are Lexa Garcia as Annie’s faithful dog, Sandy, and sophomore Abby Benke as Daddy Warbuck’s able assistant, Grace Farrell.

The cast also includes Katherine Razo, Callie Hardee, Nicole McDonald, Shanna Lundy, Kiley Beard, Kelsye Owen, Veronica Johnson, Desirae Delatorre, Kyndell Bailey, Jade Blair, Luis Rodriguez, Giovanny Pioquinto, Michael Oliver, Sterling Hinkle, D.J. Patterson, Josh Young, Marshall Smith, Tyler Gregory and Josh Devall.

The Jacket Dancers will be perform in the musical production as the maids. They are Taylor Booth, Jayla Cagle, Macy Cook, Kirsti Coward, Taylor Cox, Stacie Folwell, Lauren Hanson, Taylor House, Courtney Lee, Kaleigh Mangrum, Tara Mears, Hailey Shaw, Kim Traister and Ashleigh West.

Students from CISD elementary schools will serve as guest members of the cast in their roles as orphans. From Marti Elementary are Jordan Abbott, Blake Lundy and Brett Lundy, and from Coleman Elementary are Delaney Allen, Meredith Johnson, Carrolline Kickhoefer, McKenzi Spaulding, Samantha Webb, Tanner Webb, Annesley Young, Braiden Young and Riley Young.

Santa Fe Elementary “orphans” are Emma Grace Rea and Molly Rea. Irving is represented by Katie Cotten. Gerard students include Camden Brister, Julie Hall, Brigg Hawkins, Alexandra Matthews, Makenna Matthews, Grace Mitchell and RayAnn Thomas, and from Adams are Allison Johnson and Roxanne Hernandez. Pre-school actresses are Ambri Coward and Matthew Johnson.

Lacey Bigham heads up the technical side of the production as stage manager, with Baileigh Jones on sound and Kristin Ray handling lights. The technical crew also includes Phylicia Ulibarri, Courtney Ranspot, Destinee Golaz, Karissa Sloan, Kailee Lingo, Patrick Wilborn, Kellen Ray and Tedi Schmidt.

Sally Maxey is the CHS Theater arts teacher and program director. Assisting with the production is Theatre Arts teacher Adam Delka and Jen Coward, Melody Lundy and Susie Morrison.