The Wareham Middle School drama club is feeling the call of the tides as opening night for the club's first performance of "Moana" nears.

The drama club will perform "Moana" Wednesday, March 12 and Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Wareham Middle School auditorium.

"The play is based off of the Disney movie and it follows the movie pretty closely," said Drama Club Co-Advisor Jessica Hathaway.

Hathaway added there are 26 students a part of the production and it will be the longest performance any of the students have done.

"This is our first hour long show," said Hathaway. "The last few years we've only been doing 30 minute shows but we wanted to expand because the students have been really interested in the club the last couple years."

Hathaway explained the drama club got shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic and it only started back up again three years ago.

In order to get ready for the longer performance, Hathaway said there is more work that needs to be done in advance.

"We really need to make sure we have enough time in rehearsals to keep everything organized and on track," she said. "During rehearsal we want to keep everyone engaged."

Hathaway added she has seen many new friendships form during rehearsals and she has seen the older students take on more of a leadership role.

Seventh grader Ava Ambarik is playing Moana and said this is the third play she has been in. To get ready for the show, she said she has been practicing the songs she will need to sing.

"I really like the role of Moana because she has a lot of character," said Ava. "I like the emotion in the songs and I like how there is a bigger meaning behind everything."

Evalyn Medina is playing Moana's mom Sina and will be a part of Maui's ensemble. She said she wants to be an actor one day and she likes being around her friends and making new ones.

"I like acting and I like being on stage," said Evalyn. "It's a way that I can express different things and acting has helped me get comfortable being in front of big audiences."

Fifth-grader Taelyn Wiley is playing Tamatoa, one of the main antagonists of the play and she said her favorite parts of getting ready for the play have been "singing, dancing and being me."
Admission will be $7 for adults and $5 for kids 12-years-old and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door or here.