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02/28/2024 08:30 AMIt’s not like herding cats, but nonetheless, Lily Farrell has a lot of small bodies to keep track of these days. Lily is in charge of the mini-munchkins. Let there be no confusion: The mini-munchkins are not a menu option at a coffee shop chain. They are 23 youngsters from the ages of 4 to 12 who are part of the cast of Valley Regional High School’s (VRHS) spring musical, The Wizard of Oz.
The performances of this play are taking place on Friday, March 15; Saturday, March 16; and Sunday, March 17. Tickets are available at VRHS and Celebrations in Deep River.
When longtime play director Ingrid Walsh mentioned the possibility of adding children to the cast, the high schoolers in the play were enthusiastic. For Walsh, this addition also represented a chance to strengthen arts participation at VRHS following disruptions to the school schedule that were created by COVID.
There are both challenges and rewards that come with working with youngsters. Walsh notes that the 4-12 age bracket requires “a wide range of needs” and, for that reason, she feels particularly glad to have Lily working with the youngsters on this production. Walsh says that the participation of the mini-munchkins “has added an extra element to what is already a very big show to produce.”
Lily, who is taking a gap year after graduating from Valley in 2023, is no stranger to the high school play. Lily was the lead as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors in her senior year and plans to major in musical theatre in college.
Lily actually started in a college program this year, but decided that it wasn’t the right one for her. So, she decided to take a year off and go through the application process again.
“College is so expensive, I wanted to make sure I had made the right choice,” she says. “It is not the normal path, but it is the right choice for me.”
There is a multi-part audition process that comes with getting accepted into a musical theatre program. Lily first learned about the intricacies and how to prepare for them in a summer workshop she attended.
Lily has to prepare a selection of musical numbers—one a contemporary song and one that she describes as a “golden age” song.
“That’s one from the 70s or before,” she explains.
In addition, Lily has to bring a book of sheet music for an accompanist, so that the audition personnel can choose any song from the collection for her to perform.
Lily has guidance as she prepares for this endeavor. She works remotely with a vocal coach in New York on her performance. Lily also is working with a drama coach and must present both a modern monologue and a Shakespearean one, as well.
And still, that is not all. Lily has travelled to New York and Boston, among other places, for dance auditions.
“You’re in a room with 30 or so others. They teach you a dance, and then you do it in small groups,” she explains. “I am a strong mover, though I did not concentrate on dance. I was a cheerleader. I can hold my own.”
Preparation counts, but Lily points out that there are also some unexpected hurdles.
“Even the most talented people can get in trouble,” she says.
In addition to being accepted for musical theatre, applicants to any program must also qualify for the school academically. Lily doesn’t want to talk about where she has applied for fear of being jinxed.
“I’m superstitious,” she says. “I am just focusing on the mini-munchkins for now.”
Whatever college she ends up attending, Lily, who is from Ivoryton, is looking forward to the new experience.
“I’ve grown up with the same 120 kids,” she says. “College is a chance to figure out who I am without them.”
Lily knew by middle school that she wanted to act. However, her high school theatre career was a bumpy one. COVID meant that there was no play in her freshman year. In her junior year, Lily tore a meniscus during the tryouts for the spring musical, The Little Mermaid, and missed out on being in the show.
Lily says that setback has actually helped her with her current auditions.
“I think I have already done the worst thing I am ever going to do, and so everything is going to go up from there,” she says.
Lily faced other challenges in her high school career. Lily suffers from dyslexia and, as an 11-year-old, she testified before a Connecticut General Assembly Committee on her own experiences living with the condition.
Lily feels proud that she has learned how to cope with dyslexia.
“I was in the National Honor Society and in AP classes. I didn’t let it stop me,” she says. “I think I broke glass ceilings.”
At the moment, Lily is occasionally working as a pet sitter while she’s at home. For this summer, though, she has other plans. Lily is already sending out audition tapes to various to theatre productions throughout the country, hoping to land a part.
“As long as they provide housing, I am there,” she says.