A Full-Circle Moment: Fourth Grader and Alumnus Share the Spotlight in Downtown San Jose

This winter, the Saint Andrew’s community is shining on the local theater stage as alumnus Armand Akbari (Class of 2015) and current fourth grader Yuvaan perform together in Finding Neverland, a musical inspired by the story behind J.M. Barrie’s creation of Peter Pan. Armand plays J.M. Berrie, and Yuvaan plays Peter. 

 Armand shares that he has been part of Saint Andrew’s community since he was just one year old and has always felt deeply connected to the school. When Armand thinks back on where his love of performing began, he remembers being four years old and standing on Saint Andrew’s stage in a production of Peter Rabbit. As a member of the ensemble, it was his very first time performing in front of an audience. He still recalls the excitement of that moment and says it was when he first discovered how much he loved being on stage.

Armand shares that the consistent performance opportunities at Saint Andrew’s played a major role in shaping his passion for theater. Early introductions to choir and annual productions helped him build confidence and establish a strong foundation in the arts. By the time he was in the fourth grade, he performed in his first Saint Andrew’s musical, Hood, an adaptation of Robin Hood, where he played a knight. He remembers that show “like it was yesterday,” including his lines, and notes that he has not stopped performing since.

One of his favorite roles came in sixth grade, when he played the Lion in The Road Trip, a sequel musical to The Wizard of Oz. He describes that performance as the moment that “launched his confidence to a new level” and when he fully realized how much he loved the world of musical theater.

Years later, that same Saint Andrew’s stage continues to inspire current students, including Yuvaan.

Yuvaan shares that he felt both “grateful and excited” when he learned he had been cast in Finding Neverland. He explains that what he enjoys most is getting to be with his friends while working on acting and singing and going on “fun adventures” together. Yuvaan shares that Saint Andrew’s helped him discover his love for acting, recalling his performance of a Hamilton number by Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Saint Andrew’s Variety Show as a first grader. That experience sparked his interest in theater and led him to Children’s Musical Theater (CMT), where he previously played King Julien in Madagascar.

After graduating from high school, Armand attended USC’s School of Dramatic Arts and has since worked professionally as both a singer and actor. He stayed in Los Angeles after graduation to continue building his career, and he thanks the teachers and faculty at Saint Andrew's for helping shape him into the person he is today.

Recently, CMT invited Armand to join the cast of Finding Neverland, a role that brought him back to the Bay Area and reconnected him with the community where his love for theater first began. It was through this production that he met Yuvaan, his co-star in the play Finding Neverland. It was through this production that he met Yuvaan. Yuvaan shares that during rehearsals, Armand asked him which school he attended, and that is when they realized they shared a connection to Saint Andrew’s. They spent nearly an hour together discussing their experiences as students at the school. 

Performing in Finding Neverland has been especially meaningful for Armand because of his connection with Yuvaan. In one scene, the two share the stage, and Armand describes it as a “full circle moment.” He shares that looking at Yuvaan reminds him of himself at that age because he was the same age as Yuvaan when he starred in Hood. Armand describes Yuvaan as “so talented, professional, smart, and sweet,” and says seeing the next generation of Saint Andrew’s performers fills him with pride and excitement.

Armand describes Saint Andrew’s as “one of the top influences” in his life. He explains that the school “set me up very strongly academically, and I felt that going into high school.” He also shares that Saint Andrew’s provides countless opportunities for students to grow, balancing strong academics with a vibrant arts program. He describes the teachers’ support as “incredible,” recalling how just last week he met up for breakfast with Mr. Adams, whom he affectionately calls “King” and who first encouraged him to start running. Armand also credits student government and other activities with helping him build confidence in public speaking and leadership. For Armand, Saint Andrew’s is more than a school. “Saint Andrew’s is like a second home,” he says, a place that shaped him as both an artist and a person. Armand plans to move to New York in the new year to pursue Broadway auditions. 

Yuvaan will continue to explore his love of the performing arts while deepening his learning as a student, and is excited about the growth and experiences ahead in the second half of fourth grade.

We are wishing both Armand and Yuvaan all the success in the world and can’t wait to see their names in the spotlight!