Ava Benjamin, an 11-year-old resident of Lake Havasu City, is set to shine on stage in a production of “Annie,” presented by GraceArts Live Theater. She will star alongside Hazy, a 10-month-old labradoodle, marking both their inaugural leading roles.

Benjamin, a seasoned performer with 13 prior productions at GraceArts, is eager to embrace this new challenge. “Annie” opens on December 6, and Benjamin is thrilled to take center stage for the first time. The young actress met Hazy for the first time at Jack Hardie Park, where their chemistry began to form.

Starting her acting journey at just five or six years old, Benjamin pursued an acting workshop to satisfy her curiosity about the world behind the curtain. She currently studies ballet, jazz, and musical theater at Calvary Christian Academy in Havasu.

“It’s fun to go onstage, have fun and be a different character every time,” she shared. Her mix of nerves and excitement reflects her passion for performing. Grace Echevarria, the producer of GraceArts, noted that Benjamin stood out among 15 auditioning girls for the role. “She’s always so animated on stage, and she’s worked hard,” Echevarria remarked.

Benjamin appreciates the supportive environment of the theater. “They always tell me it’s okay to make mistakes,” she said. This mindset fuels her aspiration to continue acting in the future.

Hazy is unique among the canine cast, as she is the first dog from local breeders “London Bridge Doodles” to enter theater. Set to portray Annie’s pet, Sandy, Hazy’s training involves adaptation to the theater’s music and lighting dynamics. The puppy is owned by residents Trevor and Ashley Best and is currently being trained by local professionals.

“We chose Hazy because of her color,” Echevarria explained. Preparation for the production includes a month of rehearsal for the kids, during which Hazy will become accustomed to the theatrical environment.

Additionally, London Bridge Doodles plans to welcome a new litter of labradoodle puppies in December. These puppies will be available for adoption in February, with proceeds going to GraceArts Youth Theatricals to support scholarships for local youth interested in theater workshops.

As a community initiative, Echevarria encourages attendees of “Annie” to bring bags of Pedigree-brand dog food to donate to the Western Arizona Humane Society, emphasizing the importance of giving back.