When “Moana JR” premiers at the middle school on May 2, it will bring a message of friendship and self-discovery that will likely resonate with youngsters and their families.

That was exactly what co-directors Jennifer Bernhard and Greg Snider had in mind when they first selected this play.

“We were looking for something different and something that we had never done before,” Bernhard said. “That’s why Greg and I chose this play.”

“’Moana 2’ just came out so I think this will be of high interest,” she continued, and “the kids know the music.”

“With the resurgence of ‘Moana 2’ and with its popularity, I think there’s a good connection with kids to relate to, and given the limits of a small school, this play is a good choice,” Snider said.

‘Moana JR’, features award winning songs from the Disney animated film composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.”

Emilia Bisignani stars as Moana.

“It’s a really fun play because the songs are really good and it tells a really good story about learning and belonging,” she said.

Children will find the characters in this play to be familiar.

“Moana is very strong,” Bisignani said. “She speaks her mind and longs for her own adventures and there are so many different sets and different languages.”

Moana celebrates the beliefs and cultures of the people of the Pacific Islands.

The story was originally developed in collaboration with a group of anthropologists, historians and choreographers from that part of the world.

Eighth grader Jackson De Jesus stars as Maui, a legendary demigod.

“I’m excited to have this role,” he said, even though, “this is my second time playing this part. I did it in sixth grade at a community center.”

“Maui’s very bold and full of himself,” he continued. “I think he’s funny. I like him, but I could see how a lot of other people think he’s a little too much.”

Everyone is putting their best foot forward after suffering the loss of long-time director Bill Mutimer last year.

“Bill’s passing left a lot of holes,” Snider said. “Last year, we had only two months to pull off ‘Mary Poppins.’”

“That’s why, after the last production, we decided to give the kids something familiar and enjoyable,” said Snider, who was the accompanist for ‘Mary Poppins.’

The directors are excited for the premiere.

“Basically it’s the two of us, but we also have Reid Clymer [who is] currently filling in for the music position and Kayleigh Snyder our tech support person,” Bernhard said. “We also have a huge stage crew. Right now, they’re building the sets.”

The sets will be a huge part of this show.

“Eighth grader Michaela Harstine is working for her Girl Scout badge,” Bernhard explained. “She and her mom got all of the materials donated.”

“84 Lumber [for example] donated the wood,” she continued. “Her dad works in construction and her mom teaches family and consumer science at Emmaus.”

“Bill had no help,” Snider said. “Everything that had to be done, he did himself.”

Bernhard hopes to build a strong drama presence at the middle school, one that will inspire youngster into the high school.

Before the actual premiere, some elementary students at Northwestern and Weisenberg will see a preview of “Moana JR” during the school day as part of her outreach.

“We approached [middle school principal] Bill Dovico about bringing in the fourth and fifth graders,” Bernhard explained. “We’re trying to work around the PSSA’s. Bill Dovico has been very supportive of everything we’ve been doing.”

“We never really expected the challenges that came up,” Snider said. “A lot of it is breaking the habit of musical auto pilot and getting [cast members] to think about what actually is going on.”

“I’m a sub so I’m not in the building every day,” he added.

The message of the play is a good one.

“You can overcome odds, whether it’s in school or in life,” Snider said. “[This play] has a sense of family and shows that you can chart your own course as well.”

“Moana JR” is scheduled to be performed 7 p.m. May 2 and 3 and 2 p.m. May 4 in the Northwestern Middle School auditorium.