Images: © David Hooley

Dakota Chanel

Hi Dakota! Which three emojis would you use to describe the musical?

D: ☀️❤️, 🐕

What do you admire most about the character of Annie?

D: I love how optimistic, proud, and hopeful she is.

How did you react when you found out that you were one of the lucky ones who would get to play Annie?

D: When I found out, I cried and I was so excited. I couldn’t believe it was real.

Who is the funniest cast member?

D: The funniest cast member is Anthony (Warlow, who plays Daddy Warbucks), he always makes funny jokes and makes me smile.

Which scene or moment are you most looking forward to performing live?

D: I am looking forward to performing 'Tomorrow' and 'I Don’t Need Anything But You'.

If you were sent to the orphanage run by Miss Hannigan but could bring one item or pet with you, what would you bring?

D: I would probably bring my cat named Minnie.

What advice would you give to TGs who dream of being on stage one day?

D: Keep dreaming big and working hard because you never know when it will be your
time to hit the stage!

Images: © David Hooley © Daniel Boud

Matilda Casey

Hi Matilda! Which three emojis would you use to describe the musical:

M: 🐕👩‍🦰☀️

What do you admire most about the character of Annie?

M: I admire Annie’s kindness and how optimistic she is. She’s also very clever!

Annie is such an iconic role! What was the audition process like and what did it involve?

M: The audition days were lots of fun. I remember walking in on the first day and seeing so many girls, I hadn’t done anything this big before! In small groups, we were given an opportunity to sing, then we were called back to read, and dance. This all happened a couple of times, I enjoyed every minute of it, even the nerve-wracking rush as you waited to hear if your name was on the callback list each time.  

What’s it been like sharing the role of Annie? Have you and the other girls done anything special to bond?

M: Sharing this experience with Dakota, Stephanie and Beatrix has made it even more special and way more fun. We’ve had the Annie handshake since day one and spent our first week getting to know each other over games of Spot It and Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza and we have our group chat “The Annie’s”.

What was it like meeting the rest of the cast? Who is the funniest cast member?

M: Meeting the cast day is locked in the memory bank forever, so many of my musical theatre role models in one room, it was jaw dropping!

The funniest cast member, there’s two - Daisy and Sandy (the dogs), there are parts of the show where they are meant to be doing particular things, but they just roll over and want belly rubs, they’re hilarious.

If you were sent to the orphanage run by Miss Hannigan but could bring one item or pet with you, what would you bring?

M: I think a good vacuum would make cleaning life easier.

Images: © David Hooley © Daniel Boud

Stephanie McNamara

Hi Stephanie! Which three emojis would you pick to describe the musical?

S: 👩‍🍼🐶🌤️

What do you admire most about the character of Annie?

S: I admire how strong she is and how she never loses hope and sings her song 'Tomorrow' to cheer up herself and everybody else in sad times. I love how Annie stays strong and is loyal to her orphan friends, Warbucks, Grace and the staff.

What’s it been like sharing the role of Annie? Have you and the other girls done
anything special to bond?

S: Sharing the role of Annie is an amazing experience. I have made really strong friendships between the other girls and really enjoy their company while rehearsing. We have made our own handshake which makes our friendship even stronger!

What was it like meeting the rest of the cast? Who is the funniest cast member?

S: My most favourite thing about coming to rehearsals each day is spending time with the amazing cast of Annie. They’re all so nice and easy to talk to. Debora Krizak (who plays Miss Hannigan) is definitely the funniest cast member, even when she is performing she makes me laugh!

Which scene or moment are you most looking forward to performing live?

S: There are so many scenes in the musical that I am excited to perform, though I can’t wait to sing 'Tomorrow'. It is a song that makes me and hopefully the audience happy, and singing it really enlightens the show, and of course the dog!!!

Annie is known for spreading hope and positivity. What’s your favourite way to cheer
yourself up on a hard day?

S: On a hard day the best way I cheer myself up is to get outdoors. I love to go to the beach or the park to get some fresh air!

If you were sent to the orphanage run by Miss Hannigan but could bring one item or
pet with you, what would you bring?

S: If I were to bring one thing with me to the orphanage it would definitely be my pet dog, Chip. He makes me happy when I am sad and would definitely cheer me up from Miss Hannigan!

Images: © David Hooley © Shane O'Connor

Beatrix Alder

Hi Beatrix! Which three emojis would you pick to describe the musical?

B: 👧🧹💵 

How did you react when you found out that you were one of the lucky ones who get to play Annie?

B: When I found out that I got the chance to play the role of Annie, I was so excited and I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Who is the funniest cast member? 

B: I definitely think that everyone is funny but no one’s as funny as Sandy and Daisy (the dogs who play Sandy).

If you were sent to the orphanage run by Miss Hannigan but could bring one item or pet with you, what would you bring?

B: If I could bring one item to the orphanage it would be a big woolly coat because it isn’t very warm in the orphanage.

Check out more of our interview with Beatrix in Total Girl's May/June 2025 'Discover Your Destiny' issue, out now!

Annie is playing now at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney until June 21, before it moves to Princess Theatre Melbourne from July 10. Then it's coming to Brisbane in December! ❤️

Will you be seeing the new Annie musical? What's your fave musical number from Annie? Let us know in the comments!