By Theresa O’Connor

Imagine being on stage, in front of about a hundred people. You’re the lead role and everybody is counting on you to perform on the stage with bright lights shining over it. Suddenly the room is dim and, it’s Lights! Camera! Action! where every part counts.

It all seems scary, right? Well, a sixth grader, Kailana Williams, is going to be doing just that. She is starring in this year’s spring musical of The Secret Garden as the lead role, Mary Lennox. She saw The Secret Garden posters around campus and she said to herself, “Hey! It’s my first year here, and I love singing and acting. I might as well try out!”

Kailana started acting at a young age. She first got involved in acting after spending time with her older sister who loved performing as well. As time went by, she began to enhance her skills of acting and singing. This is not her first time performing. She has been a member of the East Valley Children’s Theater, Greasepaint, and Arizona Homeschool Theater. Moreover, she has been in a number of plays and musicals, which include The Princess and the Pea, The Wizard of Oz, Charlotte’s Web, and Annie Jr.

Tempe Prep stages numerous different plays but Mr. Sanderson wanted to go back to musicals. The Secret Garden was a perfect fit. The musical is based on an amiable, classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Mary Lennox is a sickly girl who grows up with parents who shun and want nothing to do with her. Mary is sent to her Uncle Archibald Cravens (played by David Smith) and he leaves her in his huge manor.

She acts extremely spoiled and demanding, but her maid, Martha wouldn’t have any of it. Martha tells her there is a garden that has been sealed off for over 10 years. Martha also has a nature-loving little brother, named Dickon. Mary, Dickon and Colin (Archibald’s crippled, ill-tempered son) help innovate the garden after Mary found the hidden key. Eventually, working on the garden helps to transform Mary and Colin into better behaved children.

Mr. Sanderson was searching for a younger actor who could portray a 10-year old with an English accent and could also sing well. Kailana auditioned and was described as super skillful and experienced. Kai was announced for callbacks and afterwards, the convinced judges knew they had found their Mary Lennox.

The official Tempe Prep spring musical is taking place on April 25-28, so make sure to go watch the amazing performance when tickets are available!