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The Junior School Players Delight Audiences with “Matilda, Jr.”
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An energetic cast of 7th and 8th graders presented “Matilda, Jr.” in the Academic & Performing Arts Theater on May 15–16, 2026. Directed by drama instructor Mike Calderone, the players presented the musical version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda: a tale of an extraordinary girl who fights for what is right, sometimes by being “a little bit naughty.” With the help of her “revolting” school friends, the students take on headmistress Agatha Trunchbull, ending her tyranny over Crunchem Hall and the lovely Miss Honey.
An energetic cast of 7th and 8th graders presented “Matilda, Jr.” in the Academic & Performing Arts Theater on May 15–16, 2026. Directed by drama instructor Mike Calderone, the players presented the musical version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda: a tale of an extraordinary girl who fights for what is right, sometimes by being “a little bit naughty.” With the help of her “revolting” school friends, the students take on headmistress Agatha Trunchbull, ending her tyranny over Crunchem Hall and the lovely Miss Honey.
The ensemble cast delivered standout performances to the packed audiences on both nights. Visual and prop effects showcased the hard work of the stage and tech crews, directed by David Kenton.
Book by Dennis Kelly
Hopkins JS Drama 2026 Presents
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical Jr.
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical Jr.
Book by Dennis Kelly
Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Directed by Michael Calderone
Musical Direction by Erika Schroth
Choreography by Anjali van Bladel ’27
Costume Design by Maia Cort ’28
THE CAST
LITTLE KIDS
Eric...Daphne Altin-Fahey ’31
Tommy...Mikayla Shepherd-Hall ’31
Amanda...Sarah Mirrer ’30
Bruce...Elias Contratto ’31
Lavender... Paige Roberts ’30
Alice...Alice Neitzke ’30
Hortensia...Isabella Kim ’30
Nigel...Areej Kassem ’31
Vivian Li ’30
Vivienne Kurfess ’31
Julie Kovar ’31
Matilda...Molly Manella ’31
ADULTS
Mr. Wormwood...Lucia Cassella ’30
Mrs. Wormwood...Vani Garg ’30
Mrs. Phelps…Lucy Thompson ’31
Ms. Honey...Claire Chen ’30
Agatha Trunchbull...Lexie Andersson ’30
BIG KIDS
Michael...Riley Belcher ’30
Escapologist...Sofia Ciminiello ’30
Acrobat...Ocie Peed ’30
Cooks/Russians...Betty Yang ’30 & Imani Ward ’31
Rudolpho...Miriam Atlee ’30
Mechanic & Sergei...Juliette Watson ’30
The Technical Crew
Technical Director David Kenton
Technical Assistant Jackie Labelle-Young
Projections Dak Manella
Costume Design Maia Cort ’28
Stage Managers
Sophia Zhang ’30 (PSM), Louis Young ’30, Oscar Drais ’31
Sound Board Operators
Natalie Tolchin ’30, Emmett Miller ’31
Natalie Tolchin ’30, Emmett Miller ’31
Sound Board Mentors
Arjun Phatak ’28, George Thompson ’28
Dance Captains
Sofia Ciminiello ’30, Ocie Peed ’30, Paige Roberts ’30, Sarah Mirrer ’30
Lighting Designer David Kenton
Light Board Operator Lily Lu ’29
Costume Shop Crew: Anya Cort ’31
Props Hannah Anderson ‘31
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.