Novi Students Bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s Classic to Life

NOVI — Excitement is building as children from the Novi Middle School theater department prepare to perform the beloved tale of “The Hobbit” on October 18. Under the direction of theater director Joseph Green, these young performers are ready to transport audiences into the enchanting world created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“I chose to do ‘The Hobbit’ because it is a classic story from many years ago, but with the film adaptations a few years back, I thought it would be a great way to introduce the kids to this sprawling world and give them a book to fall back on if they had any questions,” Green shared.

The play, based on the timeless 1937 novel, follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, who goes on a journey with the wizard Gandalf and a group of thirteen dwarves to reclaim their home and treasure from a fierce dragon.

One of the young actors, Sakeena Ehtesham, 12, expressed her enthusiasm for the production: “It’s a lot of fun. It has some funny moments, serious moments, and it’s really a good, well-written play.”

Aarav Chakravartti, 13, who takes on the role of Thorin, explained his motivation for joining the production. “I like fantasy novels, but my favorite part is seeing everything come together,” he said.

This year’s middle school production features the talents of 29 students, including 18 actors and 11 crew members tackling stage and technical responsibilities. Green noted that theater provides an avenue for some kids to discover their passions while others can dive into the art for the first time.

“I’ve recently been interested in theater and wanted to try it out,” Ehtesham said. She shared that participating in a theater camp over the summer ignited her passion for acting, bringing a mix of excitement and stage fright. “It’s just a really overwhelming feeling and I enjoy that,” she added.

Ehtesham portrays Balin, a male character, and finds it empowering to break out of traditional gender roles in theater. “I think it is really cool that they let us do that here,” she remarked, appreciating the opportunities for creative expression.

Green commented on the collaborative nature of the play, saying, “The students come up with such great ideas and stories about their characters, which helps enrich their performances.”

As part of the production, students crafted their characters’ weapons, showcasing their creativity and skills. Landon Stevenson, 12, shared his experience operating the soundboard. “I get to be helpful backstage, and I kind of like being with the audience instead of being in front of the audience,” he said.

Shivani Thurman, 13, serves as the stage manager and values the opportunity to guide sound cues. “I decided to try being stage manager because it’s always been one of my dreams to have a big tech role,” she said, adding that it allows her to explore her creativity behind the scenes.

Both Stevenson and Thurman enjoyed the process of creating props for the production, especially the impressive dragon tail made from painted cardboard, which nearly spans the length of the stage.

With a healthy dose of humor woven throughout the performance, the students aim to keep the audience engaged and entertained. “In the middle of a scene, the people in the audience will have a little chuckle,” Stevenson shared.

Green emphasized the lasting impact of theater on students: “Theater is such a unique experience to any other extracurricular. It helps students think creatively, problem-solve, and build confidence in themselves.”

Striving for excellence, Green believes audiences will be genuinely impressed by the level of authenticity in both set and costume design, as well as the depth of character development portrayed by the young actors.

The hour-long performance will take place at the Novi Middle School auditorium. Tickets are priced at $10, available for purchase at the door or through the NMS Welcome Center and front office. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this magical production!