Meet the cast of Hana the Glowworm
Introducing Emerson D’Aguiar-Sanders. Emerson, who performs the lead role of Hana the Glowworm, turns 14 this week. She has been the recording studio artist for the Hana the Glowworm songs since she was 11. An accomplished actor, she was nominated for a NAPTA Award for her role as Skipper in Madagascar Jr in 2024. We are so excited to have Emerson in the Hana cast!
Introducing Katie-Rose Pemberton. 19-year-old Katie-Rose has been selected twice as a Kiwi All-Star performer at the Junior Theatre Festival in New York and Sydney. She is a remarkably talented actor, singer, and musician. She is performing the lead role as Eel in Hana the Glowworm. We are so excited to have Katie-Rose in the Hana cast!
Introducing Boston Davis. Hana the Glowworm is Boston’s ninth musical role. At 12 years old, he loves the fun, friendship, and challenges that musical theatre offers and was nominated for a 2024 NAPTA award for his role in Elf the Musical. Boston is playing the lead role of Stoat. We are so excited to have Boston in the Hana team!
Introducing Gabriella D’Aguiar-Sanders. Gabriella is a seasoned performer, dancer, and recording artist at 11 years old. She was nominated as a Junior Theatre Festival NZ All-Star for her lead role as Dory in Finding Nemo Jr. in 2024. She is performing a lead role as Ruru in Hana the Glowworm. We are so excited to have Gabriella in the Hana cast!
Introducing Ethan Heke. Ethan was nominated for a NAPTA and as a Junior Theatre Festival All-Star for his lead role as Marty in Madagascar Jr in 2023. Ethan is a talented all-round musical theatre performer and is performing in Hana the Glowworm as Hana’s Dad, Violin, Mal and a Stoatette. We are so excited to have Ethan in the Hana cast!
Introducing Milla Rodrigues-Birch. Milla is a passionate and intuitive performer who has been dedicated to her craft since childhood. A multi-award winner in acting, singing, and musical theatre, she can’t wait to bring her characters to life in Hana the Glowworm! She is performing the roles of Clarinet, Tim and lead Stoatette.
Introducing Elise Chapman. Elise is a passionate dancer and performer who is a regular in youth shows at Centrestage Theatre. She lights up on the stage and can’t wait to bring Hana the Glowworm to life! Elise is part of the ensemble and is also performing as a musician, spider and a DOC ranger. We are so excited to have Elise in the Hana cast!
Introducing Natalia-Rose Armstrong! Natalia-Rose began her dancing passion at age 3 and has studied ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, hip-hop, and jazz genres to the highest level in exams and City Impact Arts Academy shows. She received 2024 nominations for NZAMD Ballet and Contemporary dance scholarships in Wellington, and she previously achieved the highest results in Auckland and NZ. She is excited to perform in Hana the Glowworm as her first professional show and is also playing the roles of a Glowworm, centipede and stoatette. We love having her in the Hana cast!
Introducing Liberty-Faith Armstrong. Liberty-Faith 13, was literally born into dancing as a baby, with her two big sisters ahead of her, studying ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop at City Impact Arts Academy, as well as exploring a new interest in acro dance and being part of three school dance troupes. She is also passionate about modelling and performing on stage, with her most recent role as the lead, ‘Sasha,’ in the City Impact Christmas Spectacular. Libbi is excited to be part of the dance ensemble cast and also performing as Baby Kiwi and a Glowworm for Hana the Glowworm as her first professional show alongside her sister. We are so excited to have Libbi in the Hana cast too!
Introducing Jemma Harman. Jemma is 12 years old and has trained in ballet and musical theatre. She loves to read and wants to one day work at McDonalds so she can eat all the fries. Jemma is part of the ensemble and is also performing as a Stoatette and Tui! We are so excited to have her in the Hana cast!
Introducing, ten-year-old Katelyn Harman. Katelyn is a gymnast and dancer. She also has a passion for musical theatre and will soon portray Jetsam in The Little Mermaid Jr. Katelyn is part of the ensemble and is also performing as a Stoatette and Puriri Moth! We are so excited to have her in the Hana cast!
Introducing Layla Russel. Layla enjoys dancing and performing on stage. She takes ballet and jazz classes and, this year, has started lyrical and contemporary dancing. Layla is looking forward to performing in Hana on stage as part of the ensemble, and we are so excited to have her in the Hana cast!
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