Harper Rae Asch is no stranger to the stage. The 11-year-old actor has performed in musicals like “Matilda,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “White Christmas.” But she’s gearing up for her biggest show yet this spring, when she steps into the title role of “Annie” at the Stratford Festival.
Asch, who was born in the U.S. but now lives in Canada, was selected for the part last year following a nationwide casting search. She recently spoke with the Star before the start of rehearsals about her relationship with the beloved musical, how she was bitten by the theatre bug and a prophetic moment at the Stratford Festival two years ago.
How do you feel stepping into this role?
I’m really excited because it’s my first big, professional role. It’s also been a tradition for me and my family to go up to the Stratford Festival and see their shows. Their productions are always great and I know our director, Donna Feore, is going make this one special.
How familiar are you with “Annie”?
Over the holidays, my dad and I saw the U.S. national tour of “Annie” at Madison Square Garden in New York City, starring Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Hannigan. That gave me so much energy and made me excited to perform in the show. I’ve also starred as Annie before in my school’s production when I was in the third grade.
So this is your second time doing “Annie”?
What do you like most about the character?
I like how she’s an optimist and how she can raise a lot of different emotions throughout the story. At the beginning, when we see her with Molly, she’s motherly and protective. She cares about other people and she wants to tell them that it’s going be OK. So, in that way, she’s very reassuring. But she’s also sassy. She really has character and brings a lot of energy to the world around her.
How are you most like Annie?
I can be sassy, I’m not shy and I always try to do what’s right.
And how are you most different from her?
I would say I’m not as edgy. And I think I warm up to people more easily.
You’ll get to sing so many iconic songs in the show. Is there one in particular you’re most looking forward to?
Annie is kind of known for singing “Tomorrow” and being a big belter. But I like the song “Maybe.” It just has so much emotion and Annie is really vulnerable in it. She’s reminding herself about her parents, and she’s reassuring not only Molly and the other orphans, but also herself, that she has a loving family out there.
You’ll have a busy schedule once rehearsals are underway. What will schooling look like for you?
I’m going to have a tutor who will work with me during my breaks. She was a child actor at the Stratford Festival, too, which is great because we share that same experience. One of my main priorities is to keep my grades up in school.
Rehearsals haven’t started yet, but how are you preparing for the role?
I practice the songs often and, every single time I perform, I pretend it’s a real show. I’m also trying to make the character my own, so I’m reviewing the script and really thinking about the message behind each of her lines.
Tell me how exactly you want to put your own spin on Annie.
I want to make her a bit softer. I also want people to see how she warms up to everyone and I want to make it clear how she’s been through a hard time, but she’s still optimistic and still trying to make everyone happy.
If you could play any other role in “Annie,” which would it be?
Rooster (Miss Hannigan’s brother and one of the antagonists in the musical). Yes, he’s a liar, but he’s crazy and has so much humour. He also sings “Easy Street,” which is one of my favourites.
How about any other role in musical theatre in general?
I want to play Bonnie Parker from the musical “Bonnie and Clyde.” Like Annie, she has a big vocal range. And because she was a real person, it’d be fun to see how she lived and what she was going through.
How did you get into theatre?
When I was six, and I was in Grade 1 and my school did a production of “The Grinch.” I was trying to make new friends because it was my first year at this new school. So I thought this would be a good way to meet new people. And so I did the show. I was in a small role, but I got a little solo and I also got to see from the older kids how fun it was, getting this energy from the audience and making them laugh, cry and smile. I was bitten by the stage.
You’ve seen Stratford Festival musicals on the very stage you’ll soon be performing on. Do you have any favourite past experiences?
I went to see “Rent” in 2023 at the Festival Theatre and afterwards I got to meet Lee Siegel, who was playing Tom Collins. He took my dad’s phone and said, ‘Hey, this is Lee Siegel with Harper. One day, she’s going to be performing at the festival.’ That was really special. I look back at that video and realize it’s so real now.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
“Annie” runs from April 19 to Nov. 2 at the Stratford Festival’s Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for tickets and more information.
