Nani

Nani is Lilo's teenage older sister who became her guardian after their parents died. She is trying to hold everything together, keep a job, and prevent social services from taking Lilo away. She is overwhelmed but fiercely loving.

Personality for Dance

Nani moves with the energy of someone who is always multitasking. She rushes, she juggles, she catches things before they fall. Her movement is athletic and capable but there is tension in her shoulders and urgency in her steps. When she relaxes, usually around David, she moves with a natural Hawaiian ease. The contrast between stressed Nani and relaxed Nani tells the audience everything about what she carries.

The Outfit

Top

A simple tank top or fitted top in earthy tones. Practical, not glamorous. For work scenes, a uniform shirt or apron over the top. She dresses for function, not fashion.

Bottom

Denim shorts or a casual skirt. Practical and easy to move in. She is always running somewhere.

Accessories

Minimal. A simple necklace or bracelet. A hair tie on her wrist for pulling her hair back when working. A bag or backpack she carries between jobs.

Shoes

Sandals or bare feet. Simple and Hawaiian. She is not spending money on shoes when she can barely pay rent.

Hair

Long black hair, often tied back in a practical ponytail. When she lets it down, usually for the beach or relaxed scenes, it shows a different side of her.

Special Details

For the surfing scenes with David, a wetsuit top or rash guard adds variety to the costume. A surfboard prop if your staging can handle it.

Movement Tips

Show the weight she carries through her upper body. Tense shoulders, arms always doing something.
When she yells at Lilo, the movement should come from fear, not anger. She is scared of losing her.
Around David, her body language softens completely. This is the only time she is not bracing for the next crisis.
Hula should feel natural for Nani. She grew up with it. It is her one connection to a simpler time.

Age Recommendations

Best for ages 14 and up. Nani needs a dancer who can convey the emotional complexity of a young person carrying adult responsibility. Strong contemporary or jazz training suits the role.