Steyn Vienings (front) and Mia Vink
Steyn Vienings and Mia Vink were reaming of a life on stage after starring in Cambridge Middle School’s production, Seussical Junior, last week.
Steyn Vienings (front) and Mia Vink pose for the paparazzi following their fifth performance of Seussical Junior last Thursday.
“I can’t believe I’m being interviewed right now,” said Steyn, who played the Cat in the Hat.
“First production, then Broadway!” said Mia, who played Gertrude McFuzz.
The pair took leading roles in the musical comedy alongside Keelan Mareroa (Horton the elephant) and Charlotte Vivian (Jojo).
Based on stories by American author Dr Seuss (Theodor Geisel), the show ran from August 27-29.
Lead Dancers were Millie Flatt, Mila Hollows, Isabelle MacAllister, Emma Pastor, Mia van de Wall and Sienna Walker.
Director Tracey Andrews said winter bugs had hampered rehearsals.
“It has been quite hard because there’s been so much illness amongst the kids and the teachers, so that’s been quite taxing on us, but the kids have been incredible,” she said.
“Audiences have reacted really well – they’ve loved it – and we’ve had a lot of really positive feedback.”
Students had been learning the songs since term one.
“A lot of them didn’t really know many of the Dr Seuss characters except the Cat in the Hat, but I hear from audience members a lot of kids who have seen the show are now getting out their Dr Seuss books.”
Tracey said Steyn, who opened the show, had “brought the Cat in the Hat to life”. Steyn, year 8, said he had always loved drama.
“The bright colours and costumes make it so exciting – and I also love Dr Seuss’s books – so when I heard there was a Dr Seuss production, I was the first one to sign up,” he said.
Like Mia, he had been inspired to audition for Seussical Junior after watching Cambridge Middle School’s production of Moana Junior in 2022.
Playing characters in the show were Monae Bourke, Ethan Twaddle, Chloe Kim, Devyn Law, Nathan Morton-Jones, Maya Pousson, Sasha Thorne, Damian McMillin, Florence Nelson, Aleeya Rahman, Micah Sem, Grace Forrest, Ava Bell, McKaylee Flockhart, Sadie Jack, Ivy Langman, Kier Precilla and Mila Hotter.
The show’s music director was Sacha Reichardt and it was choreographed by Carla McCree.
Steyn Vienings (front) and Mia Vink pose for the paparazzi following their fifth performance of Seussical Junior last Thursday.
