Annie JR
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie JR. features everyone’s favourite little redhead in her very first adventure.
Set in 1930s New York City, the story follows young orphan Annie, whose optimism and courage shine through despite the hardships of life at Miss Hannigan’s harsh orphanage. Determined to find the parents who left her behind years earlier, Annie’s journey leads her to billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his kind-hearted secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable dog named Sandy. Along the way, Annie outsmarts Miss Hannigan’s schemes and discovers the true meaning of family, friendship, and belonging.
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Want to be a part of this musical? Enrol online today!
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FOR: Ages 9-15
REHEARSING: Term 3 2026 and Term 4 2026
REHEARSAL STUDIO: Perform Australia Studios, 12/38 Reed St N, Greenway ACT 2900
CLASS TIMES: Choose from either:​
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Tuesday, 3:45pm-6:15pm
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Wednesday, 3:45pm-6:15pm
PERFORMANCES: You MUST be available on the following dates:
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Dress rehearsal - Friday, 4th December or Saturday, 5th December 2026, depending on your cast
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Performances on Saturday, 5th December 2026 and Sunday, 6th December 2026
PERFORMANCE VENUE: Perform Australia Theatre
COST: $380 per term (two -term commitment)
About
Broadway Junior Collection®
Book by THOMAS MEEHAN
Music by CHARLES STROUSE
Lyrics by MARTIN CHARNIN
Original production directed by Martin Charnin
Presented on Broadway by Mike Nichols
Originally Produced by
Irwin Meyer
Stephen R. Friedman
Lewis Allen
Alvin Nederlander Associates, Inc.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Icarus Productions
Based on "Little Orphan Annie"
By permission of The Media Tribune Services, Inc.
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
What happens in a musical theatre production class?
If you've never been a part of a musical theatre production class before, here's what you can expect, week to week. Every week includes different educational content designed by professional actors and educators.
CHECK-IN
We begin with connection - checking in with the kids to see how they're going. This helps take the temperature of the room, as well as build friendships within the group.
WARM-UP
Like athletes, actors warm up their voice and body. We spend a few minutes preparing for the work we're about to do. Sometimes it may also involve an energiser game.
SINGING & CHOREOGRAPHY
Students learn songs under the tutelage of the show's musical director, and dance under the choreographer.
SCRIPT WORK/
REHEARSAL
Students put singing and dance together with scene work (acting). Over the weeks of the program, they rehearse the show in chunks, until such time as the whole show is ready to come together as a complete work.
Be a part of this show and:
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Learn singing, dancing and acting skills with trained professional performers
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Get your own copy of the script to keep forever
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Receive your own team t-shirt
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Make new friends
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Wear fabulous costumes
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Enjoy the buzz of being in a show
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Perform for family and friends in a real theatre!
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No experience is necessary to join this class, however we do find that once you try your first musical, you'll be coming back again and again for more!
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About your director
Sarah McDowall
Sarah McDowall studied with Perform Australia to achieve her Certificate IV in Acting for Stage and Screen in 2020. She also holds a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as well as graphic design training. Sarah is passionate about both acting and working with children. Sarah was recently seen on stage in several Canberra productions, including School of Rock, American Idiot, and Sanity.
Sarah has been involved in teaching on a number of past musicals with Perform Australia, including Peter Pan Jr, Adventures of a Comic Book Artist, Oliver Jr., Sound of Music, and High School Musical.
Sarah has directed the following: The Sound of Music Youth Edition, High School Musical Jr, Frozen Jr, High School Musical 2 Jr, Alice in Wonderland Jr, Shrek The Musical Jr, Cinderella Jr, Matilda Jr, Footloose Youth Edition, and Legally Blonde JR.
Roles in the show
All students get ample stage time during the performance, whether they are part of our ensemble of back-up singers and dancers, or they have a character role. Often the ensemble play multiple roles through the performance (such as school children, teachers, and so on that require multiple costume changes and several song-and-dance numbers). Being part of the ensemble is just as important as being a lead role.
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There is an audition process for students who want to try out for a character role, which usually happens in Week 2-3 of the rehearsal process. Students who would like to audition for a role will need to sing one of the songs from the show (we teach it in Week 1) and also read a portion of the script.
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How roles are cast
The show's director has the final say on who receives which role. Casting is a very difficult process and the show's leadership team often spends multiple hours on it. Not everyone will get the role they want, but we do ask parents to support our decisions for the good of the show and the experience of the children.
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Tickets
Tickets go on sale 4-6 weeks before the show, from our website. Tickets to the show cost $35.
Ready to enrol?
Download your full information pack here, for additional info about the program:
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Existing customers: Log in to your PORTAL
— NO need to create a new account. -
New customers: Click on your preferred class below and set up your portal account, and you’ll be ready to enrol
Enrolment is only secure once payment has been made.
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We look forward to having your child as part of the show!
To join the waiting list, please email hello@perform.edu.au.
Other classes you may be interested in
Many children do more than one class with Perform Australia each week! Take a look at some of our other programs that may support your child as a performer.
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