Middle Schoolers Bring ‘Moana’ to Life

Founders Hall students present show based on Disney’s 2016 film

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
April 30, 2025
Posted in: Entertainment

Students from Founders' Middle School will present Moana Jr. as their annual spring musical. (Submitted photo)

Founders’ Hall Middle School students Tori Thomas and Skylar Crenshaw have been friends for years, a relationship they agree has helped them bring their well-known characters to life for the spring musical “Moana Jr.”

Thomas plays Moana, who is on a quest to restore the heart of goddess Te Fiti, stolen many years ago by demigod Maui (Crenshaw).

The show is based on the 2016 Disney movie “Moana,” whose storyline and songs already were familiar to the cast of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders when auditions were announced.

It opens at 7 p.m. Thursday (May 1) with all shows performed in the Francis McClure auditorium in White Oak.

Eighth-grader Thomas said she was excited when she heard “Moana Jr.” was going to be the musical. “I’m really happy with my part. I like to sing, and I’m very musical,” Thomas said, adding that she also plays the violin.

Seventh-grader Crenshaw said after the musical was announced, she read through the script and studied what she thought would be a good fit for her.

The most challenging part of playing Maui, she said, “was getting the notes down for the range of a male lead.”

Her costume includes a muscle suit to pad out her figure to resemble Maui as depicted in the movie.

Tori Thomas, left, as Moana, shares one of many moments with Skylar Crenshaw as demigod Maui. (Submitted photo courtesy Edward R. Moore)

“We’ve been friends for awhile,” Crenshaw said of Thomas, indicating that helped the two depict the close relationship that develops between Maui and Moana.

“I practice with her a lot,” Thomas said of Crenshaw, in addition to all the rehearsal time after school.

Edward R. Moore is the producer and director of the middle school musical, plus the Drama Club advisor.

“I do have complete control over the choices (of musical), but I always seek the opinion of my staff members who are friends, and whom I trust,” Moore said.

“After producing a show last year (‘Xanadu Jr.’), which resonated with me, I wanted to do a show which resonated with kids -- both my Drama Club kids and children in general,” Moore said.

“After polling a few of my students, ‘Moana’ was a favorite, and here we are. While there are two big roles,” the director said, “I was satisfied that more of the actors would be able to have supporting roles and, in fact, I worked very hard to ensure that every kid in the show had at least one special moment, whether a speaking or singing solo, or a featured dance part.

“In terms of music, the show really taught itself,” Moore said. “All the kids knew the music from the original Disney movie. The hardest part was the inclusion of several Polynesian languages, which are included in some of the songs.

“With the help of Mr. (Drew) DeCarlo, our music director; my good friend Mr. (Dave) Kelly, (assistant director/set construction); and one of our eighth graders, Lony Bose, the kids picked it up pretty quickly.”

Summer Ura as Gramma Tala offers advice to Tori Thomas as Moana. (Photo by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

Cassie Fedor said her approach to the choreography was different this year than for other musicals.

“I added some hula and other moves that are more traditional for the Polynsian culture,” the choreographer said.

The Chief Ancestors and Gramma Tala are key to the story, revealing the legend of Maui, who also is a shapeshifter, his theft of the heart, and encouragement for Moana to pursue her quest.

Seventh-grader Summer Ura said ever since she was 4 and saw “Moana” for the first time, she has related to the Gramma Tala role.

Ura said her favorite part is “I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors),” featuring all the Chief Ancestors, Gramma Tala, and Moana.

She said Lin-Manuel Miranda, one of three people credited with creating the music and lyrics, is one of her favorites.

“When she (Gramma Tala, who passes away earlier in the musical) comes back to motivate Moana to finish her journey and save her ancestors’ legacy, that’s my favorite song,” she said.

Moana (Tori Thomas) is surrounded by cast members depicting her friend the ocean and others on her quest to restore the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. (Photo by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

Taylor Larson, who is in seventh grade, is Chief Ancestor 2, among those inspiring Moana in her quest.

She said she was familiar with the songs before rehearsals started, but “definitely some of the singing parts have been challenging, because some notes are pretty high and I’m an alto.”

Larson said when the cast is singing, and a dance is coming up, the songs inspire the cast to get ready to move more, the louder the music gets.

“I like it more at the end,” she said, “because you get to see more characters onstage. If you don’t understand it at the beginning, you will at the end.”

Crenshaw said her favorite song is “You’re Welcome,” featuring Maui. “My best part is seeing everything come together as we go.”

Thomas said she also likes “You’re Welcome,” but “I Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)” and “Know Who You Are” are among her favorites.

“I met a lot of kids here this year, especially in sixth grade,” she said of some of her favorite experiences with the show.

Moore said he is impressed with the way the students have progressed musically since rehearsals began in January.

“The big numbers are full in volume and exciting to hear,” he said. “We have experienced some ‘growing pains’ with so many sixth graders and first-time performers onstage, but I have an excellent core of seventh- and eighth-graders who provide tremendous student leadership, and I'm proud of the product they are making.” While “Moana Jr.” is based on the movie, “it is not the movie... there are a few key differences, but I've grown to absolutely love it,” Moore said. “The music sticks in my head even when I'm not working on it.”

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMES FROM THE FRST TIME I WROTE A PREVIEW BACK IN I THINK 2021, FROM THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF GRANTS AT THE TIME, CONFIRMED ON THE POSTERS THAT THEY STILL GET IT, AND FROM DREW DECARLO.

The middle school musical is made possible each year largely because of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, which McKeesport Area School District has received for more than 15 years.

The grant provides federal funding for districts to provide academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for its students, including cost of acquiring rights to the musical, adult staffing, transportation to afterschool practices in the auditorium, and other necessities.  

“It's going to be a fun show,” Moore said. “It's bright, colorful, and has a few clever surprises in store for the audience.
 
“I find the creative process, and working with these dedicated and talented people -- especially the kids -- to be an uplifting presence in my life.” Moore said. “I am very grateful to the school district for, again, trusting me with this project.”

He also thanked  “our parents/guardians who step up to provide meals and snacks, transportation, costumes, and emotional support to the kids, and to me.”

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

“Moana Jr.” Cast

Tori Thomas as Moana
Skylar Crenshaw as Maui
Summer Ura as Gramma Tala
Lucas Alexa as Chief Tui
Sakia Lewis as Pua
Sydney Hrinda as Hei Hei
D’yawni McDonald as Chief Ancestor 1
Taylor Larson as Chief Ancestor 2
Taytum Jones as Chief Ancestor 3
Lony Bose as Sina
Joy Brown-Goodwine as Tamatoa
Janiya Truss as Tamatoa’s Left Claw
Hayden Murphy as Tamatoa’s Right Claw
Jurnee Argyle as Te Fiti/Te Ka
Mackenzie Florenz as Featured Dancer 1
Alissia Velez as Featured Dancer 2
Dalila Holliday-Quinn as Fisher 1A
Delainey Cunningham as Fisher 1B
Mya Blackwell as Fisher 2
Mackenzie Patterson as Villager 1
Caroline Martino as Villager 2
Max Badstibner as Villager 3
Joi Watson as Villager 4
Aalaya Davis as Villager 5
Khyla McKenith as Villager 6
Malik Davis as Gate Monster
Abigail Seifert as Maui Soloist 1
Addison Seifert as Maui Soloist 2
Maziah Martin as Maui Soloist 3
Brayden Hoover as Maui Soloist 4
Destiny Smith as Maui Soloist 5
Geno Luketic as Maui Soloist 6
Monae Chance as The Maestro

Staff

Edward R. Moore, producer and director
Cassie Fedor, choreographer
Drew DeCarlo, music director
Adam Headrick, set designer
Manny Oramas, scenic designer
Kelley Larson, costume coordinator/assistant producer
Vik Patel, stage manager/set construction
David Kelly, assistant director/set construction

Originally published April 30, 2025.

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