Students proud and prepared to entertain Iqaluit with ‘The Lion King Jr.’

Pride is more than just a group of lions, according to three dozen student actors and crew rehearsing for Friday night’s première of The Lion King Jr. at Aqsarniit Middle School.

“It’s been incredible to see the students growing more confident on stage,” said director Shawna Thomson, a student support teacher at the school in Iqaluit.

Emmyjoyce Amponsah-Agyemang plays the role of Sarabi in “The Lion King Jr.” at Aqsarniit Middle School in Iqaluit (Photo by Daron Letts)

The students have rehearsed since October, including mastering lines in four African languages.

Xhosa, Swahili, Setswana and a finale sung completely in the Zulu language are featured in the musical, which is set on a stretch of the African Savannah in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, known as The Pride Lands.

“The hard work pays off,” said Gianna Hernandez.

The Grade 8 student plays Nala, a lioness who comes of age during the play.

She and her fellow actors have ramped up rehearsals to one per day this month, including gathering in the gym to run lines over lunch periods.

“I like acting and singing a lot — it makes me more confident,” said Nathaniel Austria, who plays the lead role of Simba.

“It’s awesome working together to make the play better,” he said. “I hope people enjoy the hard work.”

Azriel Tagnigou, who plays the antagonist, Scar, has carved out time for rehearsals in his schedule, which was already packed with hockey and judo practices.

“Azriel has such good timing and a beautiful voice,” Thomson said, praising the student’s work ethic.

Meegwun Scale, as Timon the meerkat, left, and Hannah Didham, as the warthog Pumba, are responsible for many of the laughs in The Lion King Jr. (Photo by Daron Letts)

Iris Lessard-Michielsen, who plays the mandrill Rafiki, enjoys the teamwork required to make the musical a success, she said.

“I sing a lot in the background,” she said. “But there are times when I can shine, as well. It’s so epic and just really big.”

The students’ whimsical costumes were handmade by staff members Katelyn Tiktaq and Katherine Mitchell. The set, including the iconic “Pride Rock,” was designed by Marc Robinson.

The play, based on the Disney franchise The Lion King, follows a young lion cub who against all odds grows up to be the king of his pride with help from a coterie of unlikely friends.

The production runs Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. plus a matinee Saturday at 2 p.m.