STEP VA Cast Profile – Jacob Lieberman and Xavior Leinen
- 21 minutes ago
- 2 min read
by Brigid O'Leary
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA—Oh (white tailed) deer. Courtland High School auditorium will have one on stage later this month, along with other native eastern woodland wildlife, including a red fox, as STEP VA brings “Shrek the Musical JR” to the stage. The 501(c)3 nonprofit that “empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration” made sure that each of the 40 actors who wanted a role got one, including Xavior Leinen, who will be playing the fox, and Jacob Lieberman, who takes on the role of the white tailed deer.
Leinen returns to the stage after a brief stint on the tech crew last year. He first tread the boards in the Spring Musical Experience as a member of Whoville in “Seussical, Jr.” Though he's participated in a number of STEP VA Summer Camp sessions, it's a big jump to the main stage and, in a way, Leinen is still finding his niche. He went into the process with goals to learn to “be more confident and less anxious,” and “to meet new people and friends.”
“I am shy but I like STEP VA,” he explained earlier in the season.
He is, however, looking forward to the show itself and “Seeing everyone!” he said.
Meanwhile, Lieberman is looking forward to “dancing and being part of a group.” He's returning for his third STEP VA Spring Musical, also having been a Who in “Seussical Jr” and being double cast in Disney'Pixar's “Finding Nemo Jr.” as both one of the sharks and a seagull.
He “enjoyed being in previous musicals,” which is what brought him back this year. Lieberman uses sign language to communicate and he started the season looking to “[i]ncrease [his] confidence to sign larger and use all of his body space.”
Thus far he has been enjoying all the dances; so much so that he doesn't have a favorite, though he admits that “learning new dances has been the most challenging part of rehearsals.”
Come see what the fox says and how big the deer is comfortable signing at STEP VA Inc.'s staging of “Shrek the Musical JR,” April 18 (6 p.m.) and April 19 (3 p.m.) at Courtland High School. Tickets on sale at stepva.org
