Coming Up: Opening Tonight! HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION. An Exclusive Interview with Director Sasha Maya Ada and Choreographer Jeremy Saxton

January 9, 2026. By Natalie Shaw

Tonight is opening night for the twenty-two teenagers from eight different North Texas High Schools who are all part of the Junior Players production Hadestown: Teen Edition. Performances both begin and end this weekend at Moody Performance Hall at 2520 Flora Street in Dallas. Leading the cast is the incredible Director Sasha Maya Ada and Choreographer Jeremy Saxton has educated them on their dance steps! Both took the time out of their busy schedule to answer a few questions as they anticipate the opening performance.

Director Sasha Maya Ada

Choreographer Jeremy Saxton

Tell us a little bit about your experience working with the cast. In what ways did they surprise you?

Sasha: What gets me most about this cast is their generosity with each other. They listen and lift each other up. And in theatre, that's the superpower—when an ensemble truly works as a team, the work becomes so much bigger than any individual performance. These young people are balancing school, college apps, other shows, and life as teenagers, but they walk into rehearsal and choose collaboration every single day. That kind of ensemble spirit can't be taught. It has to be chosen. And this cast chooses it.

Jeremy: Working with this cast brought me back to one of my first loves: musical theatre choreography. There’s something magical about using movement to breathe new life into a show that already has its direction set. What surprised me most was how fearless the students were, especially those who were brand-new to this world. Watching them try new moves, push past their comfort zones, and eventually make the choreography their own was incredibly rewarding. Their willingness to grow, experiment, and trust the process reminded me why I love this work so much.

In your experience with Junior Players, what influence have you seen the company have on our community?

Sasha: Junior Players creates something rare: a freely accessible space where young people are supported in their artistic growth and held to professional standards as they work with professionals. And that's transformative—not just for the students, but for the whole community. It fosters the next generation of artists and future arts supporters. For audiences, especially young people, seeing their peers create work at this level is inspiring. It says, "You can do this too." And for the students themselves, Junior Players is teaching them how to show up, collaborate, balance competing demands, and how to be part of something bigger than themselves. Those are life skills that reach far beyond the stage.

Jeremy: Junior Players has a remarkable impact on the community. This organization doesn’t just produce shows they create opportunities for young artists to be seen, celebrated, and supported. I saw this firsthand through their outreach efforts. The cast performed at a recreation center open house and even at the Dallas Arboretum, bringing theatre to spaces where people might not expect it. These moments didn’t just promote the show; they helped broaden access to the arts and showcased the incredible talent these young performers bring to the stage. Junior Players truly builds bridges between youth, art, and the wider community.

In what ways have you witnessed company members collaborate in a positive way?

Sasha: The students set the tone for collaboration on this show. I've watched cast members (try to) stay late to run scenes with each other (we have to send them home to sleep eventually!), offer insights that strengthen the clarity of the work, and celebrate each other's triumphs. When we're cleaning choreography or staging a complex transition, they're checking in with one another. They are learning to take ownership of the work as a group. What a special experience it’s been to witness those milestones!

Jeremy: The collaboration within this company was one of the strongest I’ve ever witnessed. Cast members consistently stepped up for one another covering when someone needed help, reteaching choreography or blocking someone might have missed, and offering genuine positive affirmation. They created an environment where everyone felt supported and valued. That bond translated beautifully onstage; you can see it in every note they sing, every movement they execute, and every acting moment they share. Their teamwork wasn’t just functional it was heartfelt, and it elevated the entire production.

This weekend, join the cast and production team of Hadestown: Teen Edition at Moody Performance Hall and celebrate their amazing achievements in person! General Admission tickets are $15, Student/Senior Tickets are just $10. For ticket information, visit: www.juniorplayers.org/tickets