Second-graders Make Us Squirm!
Live performance was a hit with audiences!
The 2026–2027 grade-level shows got off to a lively on Friday, October 23 when the second grade presented Squirm!. Billed as a “wiggly, giggly, squiggly musical,” the show is all about worms, snakes, bats, and spiders—the things that usually make you squirm. Thanks to the catchy music and clever lyrics and dialogue, the audience got to smile and laugh at the nasty critters instead.
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This is the third year in a row the second grade has taken on Squirm!, and the show has only gotten stronger. It mixes comedy, a few sly facts, and a range of musical styles that hop from creepy (think Addams Family) to light pop to pure vaudeville.
Music Specialist Jessica Barker, who has shepherded the production from the start, put it simply: “This show is definitely a keeper!”
Four classes of second-graders took the stage this year—one more than in the recent past—so the creative team had extra bodies (and extra energy) to wrangle. Ms. Barker smartly edited the script to open up more solo singing and speaking moments, giving every class a chance to shine.
Brand-new risers also arrived just in time, giving the performers more room to move and better sightlines for the audience. The upgrade was an immediate hit.
This was also the first Squirm! for choreographer Ashley Nelson, one of the dance instructors who works with our after-school enrichment programs. She jumped in with both feet (and a few extra arms for the spider number).
“I am so happy I had the opportunity to be part of this show,” she said. “I had a fantastic time working alongside Ms. Barker and Ms. Curry and learning how the process works.”
She taught some of the dances during PE, turning rehearsal into a surprisingly fun workout. The spider number proved the trickiest: the “spiders” had to hold their web props while remembering the choreography.
“Props can be challenging to hold onto and use while also trying to remember the steps,” Ms. Nelson noted—with the calm of someone who had already solved the problem.
She was especially proud of Donovan C., who played the Itsy-Bitsy Spider. He learned his hip-hop routine during show week and delivered it with complete confidence.
Director of Fine Arts Lindsay Curry worked with the actors on their lines and designed the lighting and sound. The black-light sequences were dramatic and spectacular, turning the stage into a glowing, slightly eerie playground. She is also training Fine Arts Assistant Emily Pelky on the sound board so the expertise keeps growing.
“This class of second-graders were some of the most advanced actors I’ve worked with,” Ms. Curry said. “I was very impressed with their expressions and bravery in telling a story!”
The old adage “the show must go on” got a live demonstration. During the second performance (for the student audience), the snake head broke off and rolled across the floor in the middle of the song Snake in the Grassssss. Harry Z. never missed a beat. He scooped it up, held it high, and kept right on going. The audience erupted in applause—and a few delighted squirms of their own.
As always, Sharky is proud that students at JCDS get to make the arts a real part of their day. With teachers who know exactly how to turn a wriggly script into a polished, joyful show, the second grade delivered something worth cheering (and only a little bit of squirming).
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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