Azra Kearns, a 12-year-old local actress, played Tessie in Mesa Encore Theatre’s production of “Annie” and later took on the role of July in Valley Youth Theatre’s production of “Annie.” Now, she is portraying the title role, a dream part for her, in TheaterWorks’ production of the musical.
TheaterWorks will put on “Annie” Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 26. It will open their 2026-2027 MainStage season.
“Annie” tells the story of a group of girls who live in an orphanage run by Miss Agatha Hannigan in the 1930s in New York during the Great Depression. One of the orphans, a hopeful girl named Annie who longs for her family, has the chance to go live with billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, an experience that changes both of their lives.
The show features songs such as “Tomorrow,” “Maybe” and “It’s a Hard Knock Life.”
The production is being directed by Molly Lajoie, a faculty associate in University of Arizona’s School of Music, Dance and Theatre who performs, choreographs and directs all over the Valley.
“Annie” has been a big part of Lajoie’s life since she was young. It has always been one of her favorite musicals, so getting the chance to direct the show has great meaning for her.
The production will also star Shani Barrett as Miss Hannigan, Scott Hyder as Oliver Warbucks, Lynn D’Ambrosi at Warbucks’ secretary Grace Farrell, Vinny Chavez as Miss Hannigan’s brother Rooster, Savoy Antoinette as Rooster’s girlfriend Lily St. Regis and Everly McClurg as the youngest orphan and Annie’s good friend Molly.
The multigenerational show as 44 cast members, including 17 youth actresses portraying Annie’s fellow orphans.
Bailey, an eight-year-old Golden Retriever from Sun City West, is taking on the role of Annie’s dog Sandy. It is his theatrical debut. The therapy dog, who encourages young people to read, volunteers at two local hospitals and three branches of Surprise Public Library.
Azra started dancing at age 3 and caught the theater bug when she was very young. At four years ago, she got the part of Lulu, a walk-on role, on the first national tour of “Waitress.”
She has also played Ivanka in Phoenix Theatre Company’s production of “Once,” the little girl in Arizona Broadway Theatre’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” James in Starlight Community Theater’s production of “James and the Giant Peach,” the Doormouse/Two of Hearts in Starlight’s production of “Alice in Wonderland,” Young Cosette in Spotlight Youth Theatre’s production of “Les Misérables School Edition,” JoJo in Phoenix Theatre’s production of “Seussical” and the title role in TheaterWorks’ production of “Matilda The Musical.”
In some of her roles, she has had to either learn or bring unique skills, such as riding a scooter in “Matilda” and tap dancing in “Alice in Wonderland.”
The actress has also appeared in the TV series “Hal & Harper” and the short film “Maron Doll.”
Azra, who is in 7th grade at Arizona School for the Arts, had a chance to originate the role of Emma in her school’s production and the world premiere of “I Need My Monster.”
The actress plays guitar, has taken piano lessons and tried the viola for a year in school.
This is the second time that Azra has worked with TheaterWorks.
Shew grew up watching the 1982 film version of “Annie,” which starred Aileen Quinn as Annie, Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan, Bernadette Peters as Lily and Tim Curry as a Rooster.
She always wanted to play the red-headed orphan.
“Even though she’s been through so much, she still has this optimism in her. I think how she inspires people in the darkest times is really beautiful and moving,” Azra said.
She has found that Annie is similar to her other character Matilda, who is also optimistic, independent and strong willed.
Azra’s other roles in “Annie” have been more focused on singing and dancing. With the main role, she gets to expand on her acting abilities.
“I’ve tried to figure out why she’s doing the things she does and the reasoning behind all that. I think that’s been the most challenging part for me. I, myself, I love to get into the character,” Azra said.
Azra said in her interpretation of Annie, she tries to showcase different sides of the character.
“I’m trying to emphasize the point that she’s optimistic, but it’s a shield. She’s had some struggles, and she’s been through a lot, but she’s still a kid. I’m trying to make her feel like she’s optimistic and very kid-like, but she also still has a sliver of doubt with the optimism because she has something to lose. I think the major challenge for me is trying to figure out when she isn’t optimistic how she feels, and when her guard is down, how does she feel and why does she feel that way?” Azra said.
Azra said the character has the power to inspire people to have faith when times are hard.
“I love how Annie is a symbol of hope. I think she’s that light in the dark. She’s been through so much, but at the same time, she still has held this optimism and this belief and is strong with it. In this time period in the Depression, when everyone was down and didn’t have a lot of money, it was really hard. I think it’s really important to hold onto that hope and belief,” Azra said.
She has been working a lot on one monologue where she explains the importance of her locket to Warbucks.
“I’m trying to make sure that I get the right emotions out, that it’s not just all sad, but it’s not all just strong,” Azra said.
Before she started working with a prop locket, Azra used her own personal locket, which has a picture of her with her mom, dad and sister.
“I’m going to try to make the locket her safe space. When she feels down, she holds onto her locket,” Azra said.
Azra enjoys doing the song “Maybe” because it allows her to really highlight Annie’s emotions.
“Hard Knock Life” is a dance-heavy song, in which the orphans work with props such as buckets, which they get to slam on the ground. Azra said this number really showcases the camaraderie between the orphans.
“They find joy in cleaning because they start messing around with each other and having fun with one another. It’s their way of playing pretend and being kids together,” Azra said.
There are moments in the show where audiences can see the connections between the orphans, where they fight and make up like sisters.
“We’re are all one big family in the orphanage because that’s all we’ve ever known,” Azra said.
The song “Tomorrow” has posed some challenges for Azra as she has been preparing for the show.
“I had been singing it since I was really small, like five years old. Recently, my voice has changed. I had to relearn it in a way that was safe for my voice,” Azra said. “That’s been pretty tricky for me in preparation. Eventually I got there. It was just repetition…. I learned how to belt in a healthy way.”
Azra has previously worked with Lajoie before with “Seussical.” She also performed with other actors in the cast.
She likes working with multigenerational casts because she has a chance to watch and learn from adult actors.
“I love to see how they act and how different methods work for them,” Azra said.
She has also learned from watching the other actors playing orphans.
“That’s also really cool to watch younger people work. Everyone has a different way of acting,” Azra said.
If You Go…
Lace ’Em Up for Epilepsy Walk Arizona
TheaterWorks’ production of “Annie”
WHEN: Friday, July 10-Sunday, July 26
WHERE: Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria
COST: Tickets start at $38
INFO: theaterworks.org