Moana MS CAST Audition/Callbacks Reflections, Thank you, and 11/19 MS rehearsal

Dear Moana Jr. middle school auditioners and families,

We appreciate your patience as our casting panel diligently reviews copious pages of notes, conflict calendars, and the incredible talent gracing our auditions and callbacks.

As shared with our auditioners, the MS cast list will be released by midweek. This will be released on the blog, and we will send out an update once it is posted.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their enthusiasm and dedication throughout this process.

To kick off this exciting journey, there is an all-middle-school cast (and optional crew) rehearsal this Tuesday, 11/19, from 3:45 to 5:15 in the LS theatre to begin learning the all-cast songs! 

(The message/letter below was sent out via email today.

 MS auditioners and families, please take special care to read the below in full. 

Thank you!)

Dear Moana Auditioners and Families,

We want to share a letter with you as we have concluded the MS auditioning phase of Moana, JR., and as we enter the next phase. Please remember to bookmark the Show Blog (check it regularly or sign up to receive the blog by email) and join our Moana MS Remind group.

The Ocean has called all of us, and it is time to sail! We look forward to seeing you in Motunui and sharing this adventure together!

Shabbat Shalom,

Ms. Kendrick and the Moana Casting Team

The Rosenberg Performing Arts Theatre

♫"We tell the stories of our elders in a never-ending chain." ♫

 

Thank You for Your Dedication and Support!

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition for the middle school cast of the all-school musical. We are incredibly proud of each of you, and we want to recognize the courage and enthusiasm you brought to this process! When you all sing together, as you did in our final warm-ups on Wednesday, it is powerful, joyous, and deeply moving. You gave us all (the online casting panel and the in-person panel) chills. BRAVO!

A heartfelt thank you to our families for your support and understanding during this journey.

Throughout our audition workshops, info sessions, auditions, and callbacks, we’ve spent significant time with you and the auditioners, explaining what will happen and what is expected at auditions, being transparent about the casting process, offering feedback, and explaining how it all works.

As we work to expedite, finalize, and release the cast list via the blog by mid-next week, we know that a range of emotions, from excitement to disappointment, may arise in the days ahead. That’s why it’s important to revisit our annual How to Handle Disappointment letter, a resource we’ve crafted to help guide students and families through this process with understanding and perspective.

 

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How to Handle Disappointment 

One of the most beautiful aspects of being in a Davis musical is that there are no cuts—every actor has a chance to shine! Every role is integral to the production's success and the growth of the entire team.

We are incredibly proud of every single student who came out to audition. The courage, passion, dedication, care, love, and joy you brought to the stage and shared with each other was remarkable. Auditions can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions, and it’s natural to experience big feelings when you want something so deeply. As a casting panel with collectively over 165 years of experience in educational and professional theatre, film, and TV, we know this show will be extraordinary—because of the unique talents each of you brings to the stage and this cast. Bravo!

Musicals—whether professional, Broadway, community, or educational—are built upon the ensemble. Each performer carries the show, and every part matters. Every role is a "good part" and vital to telling our story and your growth as an artist. Casting is like assembling a puzzle with many moving parts, and our goal is to place each actor in a role where they will shine and find success while enjoying every moment of the journey.

Can you imagine seeing Hamilton or Wicked and saying to any of the ensemble, featured, or supporting characters that they don’t have “good parts”? We know how essential these roles are. And on Broadway, the swings—those versatile and talented performers who cover multiple roles—are the most well-rounded and exceptional talents. Without them, the show could not go on.

It’s also about what you do with your part. We have seen roles with only a few lines steal an entire show. You have the power to leave a legacy in the role you play, no matter its size. Owning the stage in your part is about quality over quantity. Every moment on stage is an opportunity to bring your character to life, and that commitment will shine through, elevating both your performance and the entire production.

We also want to acknowledge that casting for musical theatre differs from what many may expect. For those of you who are used to the music side of musical theatre, this may be a new experience. We’re not casting for a concert where having a beautiful voice is the sole focus; we are casting for theatre. It's not just about singing—it's about acting the song and acting in a way that tells a complete story. For those of you who are used to theatre, remember this: musical theatre requires acting and acting through song. It’s the perfect union of storytelling through your voice, body, eyes, heart, face, and soul.

Theatre is a journey; like any journey, it takes time to develop skills, especially when we are new to the stage. Every audition brings a mix of excitement, nerves, joy, and sometimes, disappointment. When facing disappointment, there are three possible responses:

1. Give up and never try again.
2. Commit to growth by saying, "This is something I really want. I will work on the craft of the performing arts and my skills—acting, singing, and dancing—so that next time, I’m ready to make strong character choices and express them confidently."
3. Find a new way to contribute, saying, "Acting and singing might not be my passion, but I want to be part of the production in another role." 

In theatre, we perform because we love the stage regardless of show or part. We love being part of a creative, collaborative, and supportive team. This is the heart of the theatre—"loving the art in ourselves, not ourselves in the art," as the legendary Stanislavsky said.

All casting decisions are final. Please allow yourself time to process and reflect on this information before you reach out about the auditions or casting. After Thanksgiving break, if students would like feedback on their audition, we encourage them to reach out to us directly to schedule a feedback meeting. We’re happy to provide feedback on what we witnessed during auditions and give input for growth in areas such as overcoming nerves,  acting the song through facial expressions, projection, eye contact, body language, pitch and song phrasing, making choices on stage, understanding what you are saying and why, line readings, active listening, stage presence, preparation, and other key skills.

Caregivers are welcome to help their children prepare their thoughts if they email us, but we ask that the communication come from the student. This is a valuable learning opportunity to practice self-advocacy and to navigate challenging conversations and situations.

Please address any questions from caregivers to Mr. Frank.

We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding shown by students and families throughout the casting process and beyond. We are grateful for your trust in us as we work together to create something extraordinary.

When facing disappointment, whether in auditions or elsewhere, take a deep breath, keep your eyes open, and trust that excellent new doors are about to open for you.