Meet the Cast

Jana Abdelnabbi is a middle child in a family of seven, born and raised mostly in New Jersey. This is her first time acting, originally auditioning for the class as a way of trying new things and pushing herself out of her comfort zone. She loves art and is often found drawing on anything she can find, practicing brush strokes or doodling. Her hobbies besides art include cooking, baking, reading, and singing.

Emma Anjali Boerner has been acting for years and hopes to continue for many years to come. Previous show credits include Queen Titania and on a different occasion Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Bernardo (Hamlet), ensemble in Romeo and Juliet, and Curly (Peter Pan). She has directing and writing experience as the Charles Evans Directing Intern for McCarter Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and the Phillips’ Mill Theatre Play With Words competition, having won in 2025 and 2026 with her plays I Promise We Can and Chorus. She enjoys the dramatic and fine arts, and when not performing, she can be found drawing or reading. She plays baseball and participates in equestrian sports. Emma would like to thank her parents, teachers and friends for their continued support.

Valentina Bryant is from Princeton, NJ and is excited to be helping out with this play! She enjoys playing volleyball, baking, and skiing.  She has been in multiple plays and is excited to help out backstage with Finding Nemo! She loved doing the lights for Peter Pan and is looking forward to learning more about backstage tech. 

Carson Chen is a student of Princeton Day School and was raised in Plainsboro, New Jersey. He has played Slightly in Peter Pan and is now cast as Bruce. Up until the beginning of eighth grade, Carson hadn’t really had a passion for acting. However, after the many fun and fulfilling experiences in the Fall Play and Eighth Grade Musical, he still doesn’t really have a passion for acting. “I’m kidding about that. This theatre experience was amazing. The memories I’ve made along the way, especially the embarrassing ones, are so fond and cherishable. I feel like I’ve gotten so much closer with everyone because of this class. I am truly glad I decided to join this elective.” —Carson Chen

Yuveer Chugh is 13 and lives in Princeton with his brother and parents. He is an eighth grader at Princeton Day School, and loves swimming, baking, and science. He has been in one other production, Peter Pan, in which he played Bill Jukes. He also hopes you have a great day.

Arya Cohn is very excited for this year’s opportunities. Some of Arya’s past musicals and plays include: Descendants (Jane), Seussical (Gertrude McFuzz), Annie (Grace Farrell), Mamma Mia (Sophie), Peter Pan (Mr. Smee), and many more. Arya is a dancer and singer, and loves to read. She would like to thank her mom, dad, brother, aunt, cousins, and grandparents for supporting her!

Bryan Du was raised in Montgomery, NJ. His first time onstage was in 4th grade. He is excited to be in Finding Nemo Jr, as he hopes to have experience acting. When not performing, Bryan plays soccer as well as tennis. He thanks his parents for supporting him and keeping him motivated.

Sylvia Gautam is an 8th grader at PDS and is very excited to be featured as Gill in this year's musical. She was born in NYC and raised in Princeton, and has been going to PDS for 9 years. She loves to see family, dance, sing, and hang out with friends. She also enjoys sports such as cross country, track, figure skating, and gymnastics. This is her first production in middle school, and she cannot wait. She wants to thank her friends and family for supporting her and encouraging her.

Bridget Rose Heavers is excited for Finding Nemo! She enjoys spending time with her friends, cousins and siblings. She likes to go on runs, do ballet and travel. During the fall, she played Wendy in Peter Pan.

Maverick Henry  is from Trenton NJ, and has done two plays in the past. This is his 2nd time as a teacher in a play, for he was “Mr. Henry” in Peter Pan, and now Professor Ray in Finding Nemo, Jr. He likes to play sports and is very social. He’d like to thank his family for motivating him through the play and the musical.

Caroline Horner is from Pennington, NJ, and is very happy to be in the 8th grade musical this year. She has only been in two other productions, Annie Jr. and Peter Pan. She loves to read, write, listen to music, act, and sing. She would like to thank her friends and family for encouraging her when she’s nervous, helping her practice, and for always being a joy in her life.

Ellie Lumba is an 8th grader at PDS and is very excited to be featured as Dory in Finding Nemo! She was raised in Princeton, New Jersey and loves to sing, play the piano, and play the guitar. As well as playing instruments, she also enjoys playing sports like soccer, cross country and basketball. She has played John Darling in Peter Pan and loves to perform. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting and encouraging her her whole life.

Griffin MacDonald is a 14 year old aspiring actor who spent most of his life abroad. His past acting experiences include playing Captain Hook in PDS’ Fall production of Peter Pan, and many years of public speaking. Starting this year, he has found acting and singing to be a new found passion and wishes to continue throughout his academic career. Outside of the theatre, Griffin plays many sports including basketball, track, and some soccer. He would like to thank his mom for her performing advice and constant support for the musical.

Ella Mukherjee is from Princeton, New Jersey. She is very excited to be a part of the PDS 8th grade musical. The last time she was in a production, she was performing in her 4th grade Operetta. Ella chose to join the musical theatre class to pursue her love for acting and music but also to have fun with friends. In her free time she enjoys reading and playing soccer. She would like to thank her two sisters and parents for always supporting her and having to listen to her sing at the top of her lungs when in the shower.

Christopher Niforatos is a brother of 6 and loves to perform in the performing arts. Christopher has first been on stage in 4th grade. He often plays piano, trombone, and a bit of the saxophone, alongside theater. Christopher has been in the performing arts for over 9 years, though trombone and Theater coming later. Christopher would like to thank his brother for getting him into acting.

Ishani Patel is an 8th grader at PDS. She enjoys playing basketball and dancing. Her little brother Shailin also goes to PDS. She has been singing for a long time now. She joined this class to have fun with friends, try something new, and to become a better singer. She would like to thank her family for pushing her to try new things.

Anabella Rai is an eighth grade student at Princeton Day School. She had a blast playing a pirate in this year's 8th Grade Fall Play, and she looks forward to participating in Finding Nemo, Jr. She enjoys performing piano outside of school and playing clarinet in the school's band. She also finds pleasure in reading, writing, and spending time with friends and family. She would like to thank her family for always loving and supporting her and her friends for always being there for her. 

Victoria Ramos is excited to be a part of her very first musical. She lives in New Jersey and has a strong passion for music, especially playing piano. Although this is her first time performing in a musical production, Victoria is thrilled to be on stage. She would like to thank her family, friends, brother and teachers for their support and encouragement. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Gabe Roman is the middle child of three. This is his first production and he is very excited. He likes to fence, eat food and play video games. He was born in New York and moved to Princeton when he was 4. He would like to thank his immediate family and his grandparents for always supporting his goals.

Maya Rozenblat is 14 years old and loves playing soccer and basketball and drawing. This is her first musical production and she’s very excited to play Chum. She would like to thank all of her friends, her family, the teachers who made this musical possible, and Robert.

Sahana Singh is from Princeton, New Jersey and is so excited to be part of this musical! In Kindergarten, she got to be one of the three fairies in the musical Shrek. She’s been singing for the last four years, and recently started acting a lot as she got Michael in Peter Pan during the fall play. She loved the experience of fall play and decided to take up the musical this year. When she’s not on stage, Sahana loves to ski, play squash, read, and eat food. Sahana would like to thank her amazing family for always encouraging her and patiently watching her living room rehearsals.

Sharanya Singh was born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey. She loves ramen, her dog, and playing the flute. Her theatre experience started with tech crew for The Day The Internet Died, then Tootles in Peter Pan. Since a design project in 7th grade, she has enjoyed the behind-the-scenes aspect of theatre. Sharanya is very excited to be stage manager for Finding Nemo Jr. and hopes for a successful show.

Audrey Su is one of three sisters and resides in Princeton, New Jersey. Audrey loves trying new things and the performing arts; she plays the piano, violin, and now does all things theater. When not on stage performing (seriously, she’s always there), you can find Audrey surrounded by her friends and family or curled up in bed reading a book. She would love to thank her family and friends for putting up with her through all the renditions of “Where’s My Dad”, “Not My Dad”, and finally, “That’s My Dad”. She is so excited to be part of Finding Nemo!