As talented as Armuchee Middle School actors might be, they’ll have to take a back seat to a more seasoned performer.
When the students take the stage for their production of “Annie Jr.” on April 26 and 27, they’ll be sharing the spotlight with Jaymie, a retired therapy dog who is already used to the applause of an audience.
Jaymie and owner Cyndy Douan are donating their time to the middle school musical in which the pooch plays “Sandy,” the lovable stray befriended by the title character, Annie.
Armuchee Middle School Choral Director Ann Burgess contacted her veterinarian when she realized she needed a well-trained dog in the production.
“And they steered her to me because of the training I’d done with their clients’ dogs,” said Douan, who owns Georgia Dog Gym, a facility for training show and pet dogs in agility, obedience and other skills.
Douan had the perfect dog for the part. Her 13-year-old golden retriever Jaymie had been trained in obedience and was a therapy dog. She had done agility and trick training and was familiar with stage work.
“And she basically has been retired for the past two years,” Douan said. “But she loves to perform and loves being around people. She really perked up around the children, so I think she’s really enjoying being a part of this production.”
For her role as Sandy, Jaymie has to learn to “go to her marks,” which means that she needs to come on stage and sit or stay at certain parts of the stage. She must also interact with other actors.
“She had one rehearsal last week and one today,” Cindy said on Monday. “We’ll rehearse all through next week. We use some treat reinforcement but she’s doing really well with her tasks and with the kids.”
Douan said, since Jaymie is a larger dog, some of the children were a bit hesitant to approach her at first, but as soon as they saw how friendly she was, they warmed up to her pretty quickly.
And when asked if the applause on opening night might make Jaymie nervous, Douan said it might actually have the opposite effect.
“Because of her years doing tricks and agility and performing in front of crowds she’s actually used to all that applause,” Douan said. “She’s comfortable with it. She loves to perform. I have no doubt she’ll do fine.”
The play itself is arranged for middle school voices, Burgess said, but the storyline is the same. With 130 students in the chorus, each having a role in the play, she said the production promises to be both inclusive and extremely entertaining.
Kristen Shiflett, 12, nailed her audition, according to Burgess, and earned the title role in the show. Annie and Sandy have a very special relationship in the show and Kristen seems to share her character’s admiration of her pooch.
“When I first saw Jaymie I thought she was a gorgeous dog,” Kristen said. “She’s really smart. It’s amazing to me to see how well trained she is.”
Kristen added that it’s easy for her to work with an actor who follows instructions well. And she has no doubt that Jaymie will steal the show.
“The audience is gonna fall in love with her,” she said. “We’re in two or three scenes together, and she has to sit beside me and come when I call her. Plus at the end she has to do a little bow. It’s really cute.”
Kristen said while she’s confident about Jaymie’s abilities, she’s a little nervous about her own scenes, but for the most part she’s excited and can’t wait for the curtain to rise on “Annie Jr.”
The play runs April 26 and 27 at the Armuchee High School auditorium starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $5 per person.
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