King Philip Middle School performed ‘Annie Jr.’ as their spring musical, and used the show to raise awareness and funds for a local organization that supports children in foster care.

By Ronni Newton

Students from West Hartford’s King Philip Middle School not only staged a great performance of the musical “Annie Jr.” the last weekend of April, but their cast and crew’s contributions to the community were beyond simply providing entertainment.

KP, which involved students from the Unified Theater program in the production, partnered with The Village for Families & Children, which supports vulnerable youth, including foster children, throughout the Greater Hartford area, raising money and awareness of the nonprofit’s work.

“When we knew we were doing ‘Annie Jr.’ this year, I immediately made the move to connect to local organizations that deal directly with adoption and foster care,” said King Philip Theatre Director Myles Ross. “These organizations are imperative in any community and do amazing work. The Village for Families and Children came up in conversation at a parent/guardian meeting for the musical. They have worked to keep children in our community safe, healthy, and loved and continue to make an impact in our area,” he said.

“Annie Jr.” – based on the original musical that premiered in 1977 and the 1924 Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” – focuses on a young girl who was abandoned by her parents at an orphanage. Along with providing financial support, the KP partnership with The Village was also intended to raise awareness about foster care needs in Connecticut.

A representative from The Village was at the school during the performances, sharing “Annie” trivia as well as information about the organization’s work. Hundreds of children in Connecticut are in need of safe and stable homes, noted The Village in an announcement of the partnership.

KP families held a raffle and donated a portion of concession stand proceeds to The Village.

“The kids have done such a fabulous job with this production and I love that Mr. Ross had the idea to help their production also benefit a children’s non-profit in the area,” said parent Jenn Ford, who assisted with the fundraiser. According to Ford, $765 was raised.

“Annie may be fictional, but the needs of foster children are real. The Village understands that it truly takes a village to ensure all children have safe and loving homes,” Village CEO Hector Glynn said in a statement. “We are grateful for the West Hartford students who are part of that village and decided to use their art to help others.”

We were happy to partner with them to bridge fundraising and awareness to these important topics,” Ross said.

In addition to facilitating shelter for neglected children, The Village “provides a full range of behavioral health, early and childhood youth development, substance use treatment, and support services for children, families and adults in the Greater Hartford region.” More information can be found on their website, thevillage.org. 

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