Family Partnership Program Student Joins Young Performer Cast: Sanaiah's Story

By Susan Wiedmeyer

Thanks to our donors’ generosity, First Stage has never had to turn away a student due to their inability to pay for Theater Academy classes. Through our Family Partnership Program, First Stage ensures each student’s successful participation in the Theater Academy by offering need-based scholarships, transportation, and mentorship opportunities. First Stage provides approximately 400 young people with financial aid each year, awarding more than 600 individual scholarships for classes.

Sanaiah Hibbler, photo by Paul Ruffolo

We caught up with one of our students, Sanaiah Hibbler, to talk about her First Stage story and her debut in First Stage’s world premiere production of JUDY MOODY AND STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT now on stage at the Todd Wehr Theater until June 3, 2018.

A family friend introduced Sanaiah to First Stage after hearing her lead worship at church. To lead worship is no small task—especially for an eleven year old—but Sanaiah does so with true passion and joy while singing and playing the guitar. 

“I’ve been singing since I was three. I wasn’t too familiar with First Stage but I was thrilled to be able to take classes last summer in Acting Theory, Shakespeare, Musical Theater and Voice and Movement. I can’t wait to come back this summer!”

What did you learn from taking those Academy classes?

“I learned useful audition skills: how to be confident, how to slate (introduce oneself and audition material), and how to look presentable. These skills helped me land the part of one of the students on the treasure hunt in JUDY MOODY.”

Sanaiah plays Student 4 in the Turtle cast of JUDY MOODY, photo by Paul Ruffolo

What excites you the most being in JUDY MOODY?

“The Judy Moody book series is one of my favorite book series! I love studying Language Arts in school. I’m too excited to see how each scene we’ve rehearsed will fit together to create a wonderful story!”

What advice do you have for other kids your age?

“Have lots of confidence when you audition, because you are doing what you love. If you don’t get the part, be happy anyways because that does not mean you didn’t do a great job. There will be another time for you to audition at First Stage.”

Learn more about First Stage’s Theater Academy here.

The Turtle cast of JUDY MOODY AND STINK: THE MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD TREASURE HUNT, photo by Paul Ruffolo