On Feb. 7, the Greenhill Middle School production of Matilda Jr. was performed for all to see. The sixth, seventh and eighth graders involved, who had been rehearsing since October 2023, were supported by an almost sold-out house.
“I think we had really good energy of friends and family coming to support the cast and crew,” Fine Arts Office Coordinator and Assistant Director Maxey Goold said.
The directors had been working for almost a year on the show, ever since selecting the piece in February 2023.
The musical follows child prodigy, Matilda Wormwood, through her crude school and family life. Her intellectual abilities gift her with psychic powers, allowing the students to rebel against their tyrannical principal.
Seventh-grade student Harper Spellicy took the spotlight with the role of Matilda.
“I think I did very well,” Spellicy said. “Some things went wrong, but I improvised the best I could.”
Spellicy has been participating in Greenhill musicals since fifth grade and says she loves performing every year.
“For once in my life, I didn’t feel any pressure to fit in,” Spellicy said. “That helped my creative process thrive.”
In addition to the leads, each member of the cast and crew played an important role in the production. The students practiced for three days a week beginning in the fall to allow adequate time to prepare for the performance.
“We spent a month learning all the music, worked on choreography and then we strung it all together,” Goold said.
Goold worked alongside Middle and Upper School Improv Teacher and Director Greg Mihalik, Guest Choreographer Brittanee Bailey and Guest Music Director Cody Dry to bring the show to life.
Goold says bringing in outside professionals to work with the students helped teach them at a higher level.
“It’s a really special relationship, and we have found such a good team that we bring them back every show,” Goold said.
With the help of the directors, the students have grown over the course of the year. Goold saystheir growth is the most rewarding part of each show.
“[Eighth grader Ayaana Joshi] especially dominated her role. She started shy and quiet, and was able to really relax into her role,” Goold said.
Following this year’s performance, many cast and crew plan on returning next year.
“All my friends were super supportive, and the crew understood me,” Spellicy said. “I can’t wait to participate next year.”
