For Your GRAMMY® Consideration – Hana the Glowworm – Best Musical Theater Album – A New Original Children’s Musical from New Zealand.

Hana the Glowworm, recorded at the Auckland Town Hall with the Auckland Philharmonia, is a musical of self-discovery in which Hana (meaning “to shine” in Te Reo Maori) encourages children to find their inner light while exploring the magic of orchestral music. It is the largest Children’s Musical production ever created in New Zealand and the only one with a professional orchestra.

It follows Hana, a curious and adventurous glowworm, as she is drawn out into the world for the first time by the sound of beautiful music.  As she travels deep into the night time Aotearoa forest in her search for the source of the music, she makes new friends, including Eel and Ruru, and encounters danger in the form of a sneaky (and quite comical) stoat. She also discovers musical instruments that have been lost by their owners. Hana the Glowworm explores themes of friendship, teamwork and courage.

Written by award winning and two time Tūī Award nominated songwriter Chris Sanders, the 45 minute musical features five new original songs plus the Hana overture. It was written as part of the Auckland Philharmonia’s Tunes 4 Tamariki/Children series and launched at the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (Aotea) Theatre and Bruce Mason Theatre in April 2025.  It featured thirteen amazing youth theatre stars from across Auckland, and received rave reviews from the thousands who attended the inaugural shows.

The musical is currently being developed into an extended version launching in September 2026, with both versions already garnering interest from local and international theatrical licensing agencies.

Keep reading below to find out more about the creation of the show, the music, the book, the cast, the crew and LOTS of photos from the shows!

Hana the Glowworm was produced with the support of The Douglas Goodfellow Charitable Trust. 

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The Research and Recordings Begin! (59 secs)

More Recording and Illustrations! (1 min)

Final Recordings and Book Finished! (1 min)

Rehearsals Underway and Showtime! (1 min)

Cousin team CHRIS SANDERS and NATALIE CONATY have joined together once again, to create ‘’Hana the Glowworm’ their fifth children’s picture book with music together and Chris’ seventh book, and was released alongside the launch of the musical.

Both Chris and Natalie were born in Ireland, but from an early age, their families moved to different areas, with Chris growing up in Liverpool, England and Natalie in Waterford in the Republic of Ireland. But whenever there was a family gathering, Chris and Natalie were like two peas in a pod.

Then in 1994 Chris moved to New Zealand and they didn’t see each other in person for almost 25 years!

In that time Chris became an award winning children’s songwriter and author, and Natalie pursued her passion for everything artistic, working as a wax figure stylist for the world renowned Madame Tussauds in London. Then in 2018 Natalie also moved to New Zealand to work for Wētā Workshop in Wellington – the rest is history!

CHECK OUT SOME ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE BOOK BELOW

Check out these amazing photos from the show at Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on April 5, 2025

Meet the Original cast of Hana the Glowworm

Introducing Emerson D’Aguiar-Sanders. Emerson, who performs the lead role of Hana the Glowworm, turns 14 this week. She has been the recording studio artist for the Hana the Glowworm songs since she was 11. An accomplished actor, she was nominated for a NAPTA Award for her role as Skipper in Madagascar Jr in 2024. We are so excited to have Emerson in the Hana cast!

Introducing Katie-Rose Pemberton. 19-year-old Katie-Rose has been selected twice as a Kiwi All-Star performer at the Junior Theatre Festival in New York and Sydney. She is a remarkably talented actor, singer, and musician. She is performing the lead role as Eel in Hana the Glowworm. We are so excited to have Katie-Rose in the Hana cast!

Introducing Boston Davis. Hana the Glowworm is Boston’s ninth musical role. At 12 years old, he loves the fun, friendship, and challenges that musical theatre offers and was nominated for a 2024 NAPTA award for his role in Elf the Musical. Boston is playing the lead role of Stoat. We are so excited to have Boston in the Hana team!

Introducing Gabriella D’Aguiar-Sanders.  Gabriella is a seasoned performer, dancer, and recording artist at 11 years old. She was nominated as a Junior Theatre Festival NZ All-Star for her lead role as Dory in Finding Nemo Jr. in 2024. She is performing a lead role as Ruru in Hana the Glowworm.  We are so excited to have Gabriella in the Hana cast!

Introducing Ethan Heke.  Ethan was nominated for a NAPTA and as a Junior Theatre Festival All-Star for his lead role as Marty in Madagascar Jr in 2023. Ethan is a talented all-round musical theatre performer and is performing in Hana the Glowworm as Hana’s Dad, Violin, Mal and a Stoatette.  We are so excited to have Ethan in the Hana cast!

Introducing Milla Rodrigues-Birch.  Milla is a passionate and intuitive performer who has been dedicated to her craft since childhood. A multi-award winner in acting, singing, and musical theatre, she can’t wait to bring her characters to life in Hana the Glowworm! She is performing the roles of Clarinet, Tim and lead Stoatette.

Introducing Elise Chapman. Elise is a passionate dancer and performer who is a regular in youth shows at Centrestage Theatre. She lights up on the stage and can’t wait to bring Hana the Glowworm to life! Elise is part of the ensemble and is also performing as a musician, spider and a DOC ranger. We are so excited to have Elise in the Hana cast!

Introducing Natalia-Rose Armstrong! Natalia-Rose began her dancing passion at age 3 and has studied ballet, contemporary, musical theatre, hip-hop, and jazz genres to the highest level in exams and City Impact Arts Academy shows. She received 2024 nominations for NZAMD Ballet and Contemporary dance scholarships in Wellington, and she previously achieved the highest results in Auckland and NZ. She is excited to perform in Hana the Glowworm as her first professional show and is also playing the roles of a Glowworm, centipede and stoatette. We love having her in the Hana cast!

Introducing Liberty-Faith Armstrong. Liberty-Faith 13, was literally born into dancing as a baby, with her two big sisters ahead of her, studying ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop at City Impact Arts Academy, as well as exploring a new interest in acro dance and being part of three school dance troupes. She is also passionate about modelling and performing on stage, with her most recent role as the lead, ‘Sasha,’ in the City Impact Christmas Spectacular. Libbi is excited to be part of the dance ensemble cast and also performing as Baby Kiwi and a Glowworm for Hana the Glowworm as her first professional show alongside her sister. We are so excited to have Libbi in the Hana cast too!

Introducing Stephanie Harman. Stephanie took to the stage at just 4 years old and hasn’t looked back since! Her passions include dance and musical theatre. Stephanie’s next role is Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Jr. Stephanie is part of the ensemble and is also performing as a Stoatette, Musician and Cicada! We are so excited to have her in the Hana cast!

Introducing Jemma Harman. Jemma is 12 years old and has trained in ballet and musical theatre. She loves to read and wants to one day work at McDonalds so she can eat all the fries. Jemma is part of the ensemble and is also performing as a Stoatette and Tui! We are so excited to have her in the Hana cast!

Introducing, ten-year-old Katelyn Harman. Katelyn is a gymnast and dancer. She also has a passion for musical theatre and will soon portray Jetsam in The Little Mermaid Jr. Katelyn is part of the ensemble and is also performing as a Stoatette and Puriri Moth! We are so excited to have her in the Hana cast!

Introducing Layla Russel. Layla enjoys dancing and performing on stage. She takes ballet and jazz classes and, this year, has started lyrical and contemporary dancing. Layla is looking forward to performing in Hana on stage as part of the ensemble, and we are so excited to have her in the Hana cast!

Introducing our amazing Hana the Glowworm conductor from Auckland Philharmonia, Reuben Brown.  Our fourteenth cast member, Reuben is not only the conductor but also has some lines in the show.  With a youth theatre background, today Reuben is the New Zealand Assistant Conductor-in-Residence with the Auckland Philharmonia. In this role, he debuts with the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, and assists visiting and resident conductors. We love having Reubens energy in the show!

Meet the Team Behind the Creation of Hana the Glowworm

Introducing our fabulous director Rachael D’Aguiar! Rachael began her acting career with a Diploma of Acting for Screen and Theatre from Unitec in 1995. As a fresh graduate she spent several years working with Legacy Shakespeare Theatre Company, featuring in many short films with budding – now award winning – directors, taking roles in Shortland Street, Mercy Peak, Homeward Bound and various TV commercials, was the voice of Whitcoulls for 3 years, she continues to dance tap and jazz and performing for children in musicals; Snow White NZ Tour (Snow White), Tom Thumb NZ Tour (Bow-Wow).
Rachael has always loved working with children and was also part of theatre in education programs and has worked in childrens entertainment for decades.
Her own acting career took a long hiatus when Rachael decided to open her own businesses, first a hair and beauty salon which she ran for 10 years, a business coaching and mentorship program and her current business @onetruth818nz Skincare which won her a finalist spot in the Next Pandora Woman of the Year Awards in 2016. Finally, back in front of a camera, she now frequently presents on home shopping channels in Australia and the UK highlighting the science behind the products.
Hana is the biggest show Rachael has directed, relaunching her theatre career with a bang! She has had the joy of directing a committed and talented young cast that include her 2 children and bringing her husband’s story to life on the stage.
We love having Rachael in the Hana team!!!
Introducing Chris Sanders. Chris is an award-winning children’s musician, songwriter, and author who has been creating music for over twenty years. His work has earned him several accolades, including a nomination for the 2020 and 2025 Tūī Award for Best Children’s Artist Album and his announcement as a winner at the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) that same year.
Known for writing some of New Zealand’s most memorable children’s songs, Chris’ tunes include the 111 Ambulance Song and Mittens, inspired by the famous Wellington Cat.
In a ground-breaking 2021 lockdown collaboration, Chris wrote ‘Teddy Bear Hunt’ with Auckland Philharmonia, and released the accompanying picture book ‘The World’s Greatest Teddy Bear Hunt.’
To date, he has released over 50 original children’s songs, four of which have made it into the Official Aotearoa NZ Music Charts. His third album, The Songs and Stories For Kids, was released in November 2021, with the album’s opening track, ‘Kia Ora Are Such Beautiful Words,’ receiving the Australian School of Broadcasting Network (SBN) Funky Kids Radio Presidents Award and ‘Okee Dokee Goatee,’ the SBN Best Audio Story of the Decade Award.
His Tūī Award nomination was in recognition of his album ‘Who Wants to Be a Super Ambulance Hero’, which was written for St John NZ. It was also turned into a stage show musical, and the music used as a key part of the St John in Schools Education programme. For this work, Chris received an NZ Honour from Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, specifically ‘The Order of St John Priory Vote of Thanks.’
Chris champions young performers through his creation of the Kōkako Award, which is presented at the annual NZ Children’s Music Awards and his role on the Kiwi Kids Music committee, a trust set up to promote and encourage the growth of children’s music.
Now, four years in the making, Hana the Glowworm marks Chris’s seventh book, fourth album, and second stage show musical.
Introducing our amazing Hana the Glowworm choreographer, Louise Wilkie! Louise is a choreographer and director committed to creating inclusivity and empowerment in the performing arts space. As the founder of Smoky Mirror Arts Company (SMAC), she champions opportunities for young creatives, particularly those with disabilities, to collaborate, build confidence, and take centre stage.
Holding a Master’s in Dance Movement Therapy and with extensive experience in musical theatre, Louise blends her technical expertise with a passion for teaching. She has choreographed and taught at theatre companies and schools across New Zealand including Studio 246, Centrestage Youth Theatre and StageAntics. Louise has also spent the past few years as a pilot program choreographer and workshop leader at the Junior Theatre Festival New Zealand. Through her work, she inspires performers of all abilities to develop their skills, express themselves, and thrive. We are so excited and lucky to have Louise in the Hana team!
Introducing Rikki Morris! Rikki has been an integral part of Hana the Glowworm since day one as the music producer for the album. After the orchestral parts were recorded by the Auckland Philharmonia at the Auckland Town Hall, all the files were taken back to Rikki’s studio, where vocals and any other instrumentation were added and then mixed for final release.

Rikki is a singer-songwriter, performer, multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer, sound engineer, music producer and a mentor to so many kiwi musicians in the early stages of their careers including Lorde, Gin Wigmore, Finn Andrews and Kimbra. He has been Hana the Glowworm’s writer Chris Sanders, go-to-guy when it comes to recording his original music, for both grown-ups and children, for over 20 years.

A New Zealand rock music legend, Rikki is the writer and performer of the #1 hit song ‘Nobody Else’ (1988), a member of iconic New Zealand band Th’ Dudes, and he is also a recipient of the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award in 1991 (Heartbroke) and a Tui Award as songwriter of the year (1988).

We love having Rikki in the Hana team and his amazing musical knowledge, guidance and expertise!

Introducing Auckland Philharmonia.  The Auckland Philharmonia is a leading performing arts organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, serving Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the country’s largest and most vibrant city, with concerts, events and activities throughout the year. The orchestra presents more than 60 performances annually, showcasing many of the world’s finest classical musicians as well as exciting collaborations with New Zealand’s most inventive contemporary artists.

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CAST ANNOUNCEMENTS – HANA THE GLOWWORM – GRAMMYS® FYC