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  • 1.  Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-18-2014 14:46
    hello!  Just wanted to ask from folks who've done ANNIE - how did you handle the doggie?  Of course, we plan to minimize his appearances on stage and keep him on a leash - just curious if you have any good ideas, war stories, etc. on your experience.  Thanks!

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    Michelle Britton
    Houston TX
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  • 2.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-19-2014 07:53
    I've done both Annie and Annie Jr. and in both cases, middle and high school dog auditions were my very favorite part! Use a real dog by all means. You will be amazed at how well it works. The dog has to be able to come to Annie and to sit quietly during the whole song. He also needs to refuse to come to the policeman. We had 8-10 dogs try out for each show. I had no requirements about the look of the dog. I just needed an animal who would show up, behave during the scene and wait quietly in a crate for his curtain call. My Sandy in both cases turned out to be elderly golden retrievers who were beloved family pets. They were eager to please and adored children! Have fun! ------------------------------------------- Maggie Ward Columbia MD -------------------------------------------
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  • 3.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-20-2014 18:45
    We recruited a dog belonging to a faculty member. The dog was well trained which is the key. She even came to Annie without treats. We did make sure she was not in the wings during the performance, so that she was not a distraction to the actors. ------------------------------------------- Cindy Henry Teacher USD 461 Neodesha KS -------------------------------------------
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  • 4.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-21-2014 02:12
    I called the community theater that had done Annie in the past and they recommended a dog trainer who worked with shelter/foster care dogs (the actual Broadway production used a shelter dog). The fee we paid for the trainer was then donated to the local animal shelter. The trainer brought the dog for a few rehearsals and the performances.  The nice plus was that she stayed with "Sandy" during the show and made sure the kids weren't over exciting her.  She trained both Sandy and Annie using freeze dried liver treats (dogs love them and they have an especially great smell that dogs love).  Only Annie could have the treats and it made for quick bonding.  The trainer also put the liver treats in a metal mug so Sandy would eat in the Hooverville scene!

    Using the shelter dog and the donation also raised awareness and was great PR for the show too.  

    Have fun...it's a great show. 


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    Kathy Cannarozzi-Harris
    Chairperson Of Visual And Performing Arts
    Laguna Hills CA
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  • 5.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-19-2014 08:12
    Hot dog pieces. I learned that trick from another director. Dogs never get tired of hot dogs, but they do get tired of dog food treats. If the dog knows Annie is going to give him a hot dog, he will go to her. Doing Annie, Jr. myself this fall - just cast 121 students with anoth 30+ technicians. :)

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    Ann Hileman
    Indiana Chapter Director
    Peru IN
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  • 6.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-20-2014 08:48
    I agree with the other directors about using a real dog.  We did Annie last year and the dog we had was perfect.  She got a little scared on the first night - so I wish I knew about the hot dog pieces - but after that she was great and nearly a bigger hit than the orphans!
    Have fun!

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    James Smith
    Illinois Chapter Director
    Ridgewood High School
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  • 7.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-21-2014 07:57
    I've done the show twice and used a real dog both times.  Doggy treats are a must.  It also gives a student who wasn't cast, a job backstage as dog handler... Our last dog did see her vet to get something to keep her calm, unbeknownst to me! 

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    Valerie Scott
    Duluth GA
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  • 8.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-19-2014 08:48
    In 2006 (5th grade), my daughter was Annie in "Annie, Jr." (I was a sound tech.) This was her first real stage time, and her Sandy was a slightly older service dog. Worked beautifully. It helped that she grew up around dogs in her grandparent's homes, amd was comfortable with big breeds. (Sandy was a sizable Lab.) I think Sandy was used in all of two short scenes.

    Older, calmer dogs work just fine. If you can get a service or therapy animal-even better.

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    Scott Piehler
    Drama Director
    Lilburn GA
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  • 9.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-19-2014 11:16
    A required budget item if you do this show is paying an honorarium to a dog trainer who can attend Dog Rehearsals. It worked for us to have the dog handler work with Annie and and Police Officer without the ensemble before we got on set and then with the company and onset. Dog wore a short rope so it looked as if she broke away. That way Annie, etc had a short leash to hold onto. We had 3 dogs alternating as Sandy for a couple of reasons: our dogs had busy schedules, so had performances conflicts; in case of dog (actor) unpredictability. I did have to "fire" a dog. I felt so bad. Honey, one of the Sandys would during performance head toward her mama no matter where her adult mother would be in the theater, even outside. So Cookie and Daisy finished the run. A community outreach which we did with the production involved the local Humane Society. I contacted the Volunteer Dept. and asked if they could bring a different dog each night for the dog catcher scene, then stay during Intermission for the audience to get to know the adoptable dog. Over the run audience members adopted each dog. A byproduct was favorable press in the local newspapaper
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    Gai Jones Ojai CA
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  • 10.  RE: Using a dog in ANNIE

    Posted 08-20-2014 09:11
    You may have additional luck contacting your local dog training club! Most of the members are eager to have their dogs in situations that involve sounds, people, and various commands. The dogs, particularly the advanced ones, are incredibly well behaved and many have earned some form of a good citizenship certification. I would imagine many clubs would be willing to provide a trainer and their dog in exchange for advertisement space in a program!

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    Chelsey Cavender
    Membership Service Specialist
    Educational Theatre Association
    Hamilton OH
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