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Coral Springs students stage ‘Annie Jr.’ with a charitable twist. What to know

By Reporting by Allison Beck. Produced with AI assistance
Students in Coral Springs Charter School’s theater program. Top row, from left: Jasmine Jones, Gavin Sullivan, MaKenzie Eckerty, Giuliana Cinque, Paisley Byrne and Emma Sillie. Bottom row, from left: Dorinda Daniel, Melanie Villarroel, Abby K., Addison Plaksin and Jailiana Muniz.
Students in Coral Springs Charter School’s theater program. Top row, from left: Jasmine Jones, Gavin Sullivan, MaKenzie Eckerty, Giuliana Cinque, Paisley Byrne and Emma Sillie. Bottom row, from left: Dorinda Daniel, Melanie Villarroel, Abby K., Addison Plaksin and Jailiana Muniz. Allison Beck abeck@coralspringsflnews.com

Coral Springs Charter School’s middle school theater program will present “Annie Jr.” this week from Thursday-Saturday, with $5 from every ticket going to foster care nonprofit S.O.S. Children’s Village.

First-year theater teacher Emily Palacios chose the show for its message of hope — and its personal connection to foster care.

FULL STORY: Kindness, optimism, belonging: Students bring ‘Annie Jr.’ to Coral Springs stage

During a recent “Annie Jr.” rehearsal, students pretend to beat up Molly, the smallest orphan at the group home, played by Melanie Villarroel (center).
During a recent “Annie Jr.” rehearsal, students pretend to beat up Molly, the smallest orphan at the group home, played by Melanie Villarroel (center). Allison Beck abeck@coralpsringsflnews.com

Here are key takeaways:

  • The charitable tie-in: For every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to S.O.S. Children’s Village, a residential foster community. Volunteers will also collect donated clothes and school supplies at every show.
  • Why this show: Palacios said the story’s optimism resonates right now. “I love her mindset, the hope she has that tomorrow will be a better day,” she said. “I think a lot of people need that right now.”
  • Community collaboration: Props and costumes from the 1930s era were crowdsourced from Nova Southeastern University, Florida Atlantic University and West Boca High School to keep costs down.
  • Student perspectives: Seventh grader Alexa Barbot plays Annie in her first big role. Eighth grader Paisley Byrne plays a gender-swapped Mommy Warbucks — changed from Daddy Warbucks because of a lack of boys in the program.
  • Tickets and times: Shows run at 7 p.m. each of the three nights. Tickets are $15 online, $20 at the door or $25 for VIP with reserved seating and free concession items.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

Emily Palacios, the drama teacher at Coral Springs Charter School.
Emily Palacios, the drama teacher at Coral Springs Charter School. Allison Beck abeck@coralspringsflnews.com
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