Meet the Cast of The Velveteen Rabbit

FST opened its 2023-2024 Winter Cabaret Series with The Velveteen Rabbit: A Toy Story, a new adaptation of the classic children’s story by Margery Williams.

A touching tale of love, hardship, and self-acceptance, Velveteen Rabbit follows a young girl known as “The Child,” who is initially disappointed when she gets a sawdust-filled rabbit toy as a gift. But as The Rabbit and The Child quest and adventure through the girl’s storybooks, both grow, change, and care for each other. Over time, they discover that love is the greatest force in the universe and can make impossible things real.

The Velveteen Rabbit also reminds audiences of the stories they read and the beloved toys they played with at a young age. We sat down with the cast of The Velveteen Rabbit to learn more about the stories and toys that shaped their childhoods.

JULIA COOKE

When you were growing up, did you have a favorite toy or stuffed animal? If so, what was it and what memories do you have of it?

In my family there is a tradition that whenever a baby is born their grandmother makes them a "Winnie the Pooh" stuffed animal. I had my own Pooh Bear as a baby and I would see my mom's childhood Pooh sitting on the shelf in her room, and I knew it was something special to cherish. However, since it was a doll for a baby/toddler, it went through a lot! It was deemed a 'sleeping toy,' but that meant it endured vomit, nose bleeds, and more, in the middle of the night. At some point, Pooh Bear was too fragile to sleep with, so he got his own bed, fit with a pillow and blanket in a nightstand drawer. He is still there today, hopefully sleeping soundly. 

What books did you read growing up that shaped who you are as a person? What books did you read and act out parts of, like The Child does in the play? 

I am so grateful that my mom read many many many books to me as a child. I think it's what started my love for storytelling. My most memorable childhood book would have to be Fancy Nancy. Her style, her class, her fashion, and her love for family...I took it all to heart. I truly believed that every pen should have a plume and that no outfit was complete without accessories. I tried many times to get my family to dress up 'fancy' like she does in the book, and my outfits were styled with feather boas, plastic princess heals, and my grandmother's lipstick. At my elementary school, we had a "Dress Up Like A Book Character Day," and my mom and I spent all night putting my hair in old-fashioned curlers so it would stick up like Nancy's. I arrived at school the next day dressed like her, and acting out the book just like my character, The Child, does in The Velveteen Rabbit. 

LUCAS ENGLE

When you were growing up, did you have a favorite toy or stuffed animal? If so, what was it and what memories do you have of it?

Yes, I have a duck I was given when I was born. His name was Ducky. 

What books did you read growing up that shaped who you are as a person? OR, what books did you read and act out parts of, like The Child does in the play?

My mom read a lot of books to me as a kid. We also listened to a lot of audiobooks. The digging-est dog by Al Perkins is the one that I remember most fondly, but I also have memories of whenever my mom read me a book, I would make her read each page in a different accent. 

AUDREY MOLINA

When you were growing up, did you have a favorite toy or stuffed animal? If so, what was it and what memories do you have of it?

I did have a favorite stuffed toy growing up! I still have him on my bedside table to this day. He is a bear named "Panda." However, he is not a panda bear, he is a brown bear! As a kid, I thought all bears were called "panda bears" and we sometimes just shortened his name to "Bear." So, I named him "Panda" and refuted anyone who tried to tell me he wasn't really a panda bear.

What books did you read growing up that shaped who you are as a person? OR, what books did you read and act out parts of, like The Child does in the play?

I was a huge reader as a kid. My next-door neighbor Kay and I would act out Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Magic Treehouse books, and more. My favorite book as a kid was The Shadow Thieves by Anna Ursu, which follows a young girl on an epic adventure with the Greek gods.

EMILIE REED

When you were growing up, did you have a favorite toy or stuffed animal? If so, what was it and what memories do you have of it?

My favorite childhood toy was a stuffed rabbit named "Grandma Bunny." It was given to me by my Grammie whose name is Bunnie, which makes it extra special. I went everywhere with it and it still sits on my bed to this day.

What books did you read growing up that shaped who you are as a person? OR, what books did you read and act out parts of, like The Child does in the show?

I was mostly shaped by The Series of Unfortunate Events book series. I would act out scenes with my friends at recess every day.

BRI REILLY

When you were growing up, did you have a favorite toy or stuffed animal? If so, what was it and what memories do you have of it?

Growing up, I had a Build-A-Bear dog that I loved. It had a little doghouse and a red collar that had its name on it. I kept the doghouse right by the front door, so as soon as I got home, it would be waiting for me.

What books did you read growing up that shaped who you are as a person? OR, what books did you read and act out parts of, like The Child does in the play?

I loved The Magic Treehouse books growing up. They were always going on fun adventures and were so imaginative.

FST's production of The Velveteen Rabbit: A Toy Story is now playing select Saturdays and Sunday through October 21 in FST's Keating Theatre. For tickets and more infromation, click here. 

Header Image: Emilie Reed, Julia Cooke, Audrey Molina, Lucas Engle, and Bri Reilly. Photo by John Jones.