As opening night approaches, the cast of Aladdin Jr. works together to prepare.

Senior Dom Bruder earned the role of Aladdin.

“I’m most excited about just giving people a show,” Bruder said about his experience with performing.

Bruder has been in multiple musicals and has had multiple lead roles. His favorite role has been Simba from the Lion King. He has an interesting way of preparing for his rehearsals.

“Before rehearsing me and Cade Thompson do a few pushups and just get my body warmed up,” he said.

He has been in choir for his whole life, which helped prepare him for this musical theater role.

Junior Martini Olaletan is performing as Jafar, his first big role.

“I wasn’t very good at first,” he said. “I didn’t memorize my lines, I had stage fright and was just very nervous, but as time went on and I kept rehearsing I got a lot more comfortable with it.”

As the months of rehearsals have passed, he has become more comfortable with his role and the show.

“I’m excited to just bring it and show it to you guys,” he said.

Benni Fraley, theatre director and teacher, is experiencing his first year as theatre director at Ben Davis. However, Fraley isn’t the only person currently in a new position with theater.

“This is a fairly new group of performers who are learning a lot of things for the first time. It has been great to see the veteran performers mentor the new performers as we attempt to foster the next wave of musical theatre performers here at Ben Davis,” Fraley said.

Along with Fraley, Jerico Hughes is directing the production. The two together are excited about the opening of the show.

“Our expectations are that opening weekend magic will excite the performers again and that audiences will enjoy this exciting version of a story they already know and love,” Fraley said.

The show runs from Thursday through Sunday in the theatre.

The Cast:
Aladdin: Dominic Bruder
Jasmine: Anastasia Lentz
Genie: Cade Thompson
Genie/Beggar: Nick Morton
Sultan: Oscar Dorantes
Jafar: Martin Olaleten
Iago: Zach Main
Isir: Shelby Woodcock
Manal: Destinee Rodriguez
Rajah: Gabby Rorie
Omar: Ollie Christian
Babkak: Jaron Kinley
Kassim: Donovan Medina-Miller
Carpet: Justice Harris
Razoul: Jayden Oglesby
Guard 1: Leon Fahie
Guard 2: Liyah Swanson
Apple Vendor: Shekinah Knox
Shop Owner: Kaithlyn Gwashavanhu
Fortune Teller: Ariana Patrick
Prince Abdullah: Isaiah Stephens
Attendant: Liberty Brown
Beggars: Ashlyn Bray, Darcia Walker, Jim’Myiah Filsaime
Agrabahns: Shai’Twan Sibley
Entourage/Ensemble: Olivia Loving, Teresa Galan Lopez, Ariyana Johnson, Ayraeah Lewis, Elijah Mayhue, Treyton Day, Dionna Thornton, Alyssa Evans, Paige Rowland
Little Genies: Spencer Bardell, Kar’Melo Ford, Nora Ping, Serenity Richmond, Lilly-Ann Russell, Kaylin Tinsley, Myleigh Velez, Hannah Wakefield, Jayce Watkins

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