Seventh and 8th graders presented Thumbelina: A Little Musical on May 12 and 13 in Haertter Hall.

The musical, written by JBS alum Julia Riew '17, tells the story of a girl with big dreams who goes on an adventure through a fairytale land.

A number of middle schoolers performed in the cast of Thumbelina — as listed in the program: Daisy Lazaroff '27, Ricco Martin '27, Nura Sharp '27, Julia Burr '27, Finn Hohenberg '27, Aria Langley '27, Alexander Edelman '27, Abby Albrecht '27, Liam Tang '28, Mia Schactman '27, Delali Suggs-Akaffu '27, Elijah Riker '28, Sylvia Andrews '27, Elizabeth Elzemeyer '28, Ava MacEwan '28, Margaret Gardner '27, Dylan Geiger '27, Alice Craig '27, Eva Lemley '27, Riley Edelson '28, Josie Hosler '27, Clare Lattanand '28, Molly Leonard '28, Sadhbh Leonard '28, and Claire Price '28.

The show was directed by Drew Battles (Theatre, Speech & Dance), with help from assistant director Maddy Pass '23. Choreography and musical direction was by Taylor Pietz (Music; Theatre, Speech & Dance), with help from assistant choreographer Ella Deutsch '25. The set was designed by Erin Knadler (Theatre, Speech & Dance), costumes were designed by Carla Landis Evans, lighting was designed by Summer Levin '24, and the projection art was by Sylvia Andrews '27, Gabi Buckels '24, and Mia Li '27. 

Thanks to the production stage managers Jayla Pruitt '26 and Iris Sommer '26, and the entire carpentry, props, paint, and electric crew: Cole Albrecht '26, Giovana Benoit '23, Emily Bernstein '26, Gabi Buckels '24, Morgan Cade '26, Sid Council '25, Alma Denéve '26, Clay Edelson '25, Cece Fernandez '23, Kate Grady '24, Dalton Harrold '25, Mara Kniep '26, Summer Levin '24, Maddie Williams '26, Morgan Wright '26, and Ken Zheng '25. Joe Novak (Theatre, Speech & Dance) and Erin Knadler (Theatre, Speech & Dance) served as technical supervisers.

Julia Riew returned to campus as part of our Centennial Conversations speaker series; click here to read about her visit.