CFVA’s Teaching Artist and Performer, Michaela Wright, sat down to chat with 2023 Summer Institute Alum, Annika Franklin (who recently made her Broadway debut as Young Nala in The Lion King) to discuss Franklin’s achievements, auditions, and aspirations.
Annika Franklin (11 years old) is currently performing at the Minskoff Theatre in Times Square. Shortly after attending Central Florida Vocal Arts’ 2023 Summer Institute, she landed a role in The Lion King, whose 26 year run makes it the second longest running show currently on Broadway.
Annika graciously agreed to answer our burning questions about balancing her exciting life as a Broadway actress and how her Central Florida arts education prepared her to achieve her dreams.
Broadway Q and A:
Michaela Wright: “What songs in the show does young Nala sing in The Lion King?
Annika Franklin: I sing part of “Lioness Chant,” which is kind of in the beginning. I sing “Just Can’t Wait to be King,” I sing a part called “Eulogy,” and “Rafiki Mourns.”
Michaela: Tell us more about the audition process for The Lion King. How did you come across this audition and land the role?
Annika: Yes, so it was a national open call, which is, anyone can really audition. And there were 3 steps. So the first one was …a video submission and the second one was a zoom call with the casting director. So we did my sides and my song and the third one, they called me up to New York to do an in-person final callback and there were ten girls who were at the final callback and eight for young Simba. I think I’ve bonded with them a lot
Michaela: That’s amazing. So you’re playing an amazing role right now, but if you could play any dream role on stage. What role would you play?
Annika: Yes. So this (Nala) is actually my dream role, but when I’m older I think I’d like to play Elphaba from Wicked.
Michaela: What kind of training did you do or undergo to prepare for this Broadway audition?
Annika: Yeah, so like, just in general, I have voice lessons, acting classes, and I take dance. I also did theater camps, and local productions when I was in Florida but for this specific audition, I’d send it to the people that help me so they can help me for the audition.
Michaela: Tell me more about some of the acting camps and classes you’ve taken. What did You find helpful in some of the programs you’ve done?
Annika: Some of the programs I’ve done? I’ve done a lot at the Dr. Phillips Center. Like, I did a little tiny little Matilda thing. And I did a summer camp called “Take it from the Top” that I’ve done for 3 years and I did the CFVA Summer Institute program and at The Rep (Orlando Family Stage,) I did Junie B. Jones.
Michaela: We would love to know, how did CFVA’s Summer Institute help prepare you for a life on the Broadway stage?
Annika: It was so fun. I loved it so much, and there was, we put on a little show in a week, which was crazy, and it was just there were so many amazing people that helped me perform on stage. We also sang a little song and it was so great for my experience, especially. and everyone was just great and I worked with a lot of amazing people
Michaela: Were there any specific skills that you learned there? Or things that you worked on that were helpful to you?
Annika : Yeah, like, I said, experience, definitely, and working with different people and just learning how to just work together, you know?
Michaela: I’m so glad that you had fun! In the past, you mentioned that you’ve done some regional shows. What are some of the roles that you’ve played?
Annika: So at The Rep Theater (Orlando Family Stage) in Orlando I was in Junie B. Jones and I played Chenille so I was like a little twin sister with one of my best friends. I was in Cinderella; I played Cinderella, and I did Frozen, and I was Elsa.
Michaela: What’s life like living in The Big Apple?
Annika: Definitely cold. Yeah, a little different from Florida. it’s very busy, definitely the city that never sleeps. There’s a lot going on. It’s very loud, but it’s very action packed. And it’s just so fun living here.
Michaela: What has been your favorite thing that you’ve done since you’ve moved to New York?
Annika: Favorite thing that I’ve done is hanging out with the other cubs that are in my show and just learning to perform on the stage and doing rehearsals. That that was a crazy ride
Michaela: How long are the rehearsals?
Annika: So the first month I was here was November, and I did a month of rehearsals. They were each like 5 to 8 hours a day but we have Mondays off. Sometimes, if they’re changing something like the choreography then we’ll have a little rehearsal before the show.
MIchaela: Is dance something that you were comfortable with before you started the show? Had you taken dance classes before?
Annika: Yes, I had taken dance class. Back home I took ballet and jazz, and I’m about to start hip hop over here, so I have a little bit of dance experience under my belt.
Michaela: Have you ever done dance recitals, or big dance shows?
Annika: Not super big. I’ve done one dance recital at Dance 360. It was jazz dance.
Michaela: Is that your favorite type of dance to do? Jazz?
Annika: I like ballet the best.
Michaela: I think when we’re young, we all are so excited to rush to the stage door to chat with the performers after the show and get things signed. Do people ask for your autograph at the Stage Door?
Annika: Yes, lots of people. So I get my makeup off and my costume, and I still have my hair in their two little braided buns when I come out. Everyone is just standing there like, “can I take a picture with you?” And it’s so nice, and I just love them so much.
Michaela: Do you ever feel too tired to meet fans?
Annika: Not really. I feel like, maybe sometimes before the show, I’m a little tired. Then all that adrenaline rushes in. And I’m like, Okay, I’m ready to go.
Michaela: What is the biggest thing that you’ve learned in your time on Broadway so far?
Annika: I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned is that no matter what happens, the show must go on like it really must go on. For example, a lot of crazy stuff has happened, like part of the stage that comes up didn’t come up so they kind of had to improv, and then somebody’s harness got tangled so they had to close the curtain. Then, I once fell on the stage while I was going up the stairs. But I got back up and I kept going.
Michaela: So, thinking on your feet is a big part of being a performer. How do you think that doing educational programs like Summer Institute helped you learn to think on your feet and to be comfortable making choices on stage.
Annika: When we were rehearsing the show at Summer Institute, a lot of things like we had to practice, and we had to get better and so all like the teachers and the counselors they were super nice trying to like, really get us at it to help us go on to the stage and do the best we could.
Michaela: Yeah, that’s great and having experiences like those camps can make you feel more comfortable when something goes wrong on stage. Right?
Annika: Definitely
Michaela: People have loved the videos of you singing on CFVA socials. Where can we find you and follow you on social media?
Annika: Yes, so my biggest social is my Instagram and it’s at @Annika_Reese
Michaela: If you could give people one reason to attend Summer Institute, what would it be?
Annika: So even if you’re just starting, or you’re already like super high up there and you’re already experienced, everyone’s very welcoming, and it’s like they make you feel so good about yourself and they do the best they can to get you ready to be on stage.
Michaela: Amazing! I love that. What would be your biggest advice to a young performer like yourself that wants to do what you’re doing?
Annika: So the advice I would give them again, like, just keep going, no matter what happens, and always like, never give up. Even like, if you do an audition, you don’t get it and you do another audition and you don’t get it. Never give up. Keep going. You got this.
Michaela: That’s good advice. When and where can we see you perform? Do you have a regular performing schedule for The Lion King?
Annika: Right now it’s pretty steady, but my schedule does change, so I’m performing through June 2nd, as of now and I perform four shows a week, but if you want my specific schedule, it’s on my Instagram.
Michaela: Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
Annika: Never give up. Keep going. Your dreams are always valid.
If you are interested in attending one of the programs that Annika discussed, Central Florida Vocal Arts is currently enrolling for our 2024 Summer Institute programs! We would love to offer everyone a chance to shine in our week-long intensive where we write, rehearse, and perform an original show filled with songs from Broadway’s greatest hits.
Join us!
What: Summer Institute I and II
When: June 10th to 15th (ages 7-12) / June 17th to 22nd (ages 13-18)
Where: The Renaissance, 415 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803
Learn More and Enroll Today: centralfloridavocalarts.org/events
Scholarships available for students with financial need – apply at https://bit.ly/CFVAScholarships.