The children’s ensemble for the Goodspeed production of “A Christmas Story, The Musical” features a boy from Ledyard.

Gavin Holwitt, 12, is a student at Ledyard Middle School. He also understudies the characters of Schwartz and Flick.

Gavin has been performing for a while with Niantic-based Broadway Kids & Co. He was inspired to start dancing there after seeing his brother do the same. That led to Gavin performing in musicals from “Peter Pan” to “Frozen” with the organization. He also was in “The Sound of Music” at Ivoryton Playhouse.

When he auditioned for “A Christmas Story,” he hadn’t seen the movie, but he watched it after getting cast and thought it was a lot of fun.

As for being in this Goodspeed production, Gavin said, “I love all the big dance numbers, and the cast — they are so kind. Same with the staff and everybody. Everybody here is just amazing, and I’m so happy I get to work with them.”

His parents are Avery and Joel Holwitt. Joel is a captain in the U.S. Navy. Avery teaches at Broadway Kids & Co.

Avery auditioned at Goodspeed herself when she was growing up in East Lyme. She tried out for a revival of “Annie” and made it through two rounds of auditions but ended up not getting cast in the show.

“I could not be more proud,” she said of Gavin in “A Christmas Story.” “He’s part of the whole thing ... and is getting to know everybody and being a part of telling the story.”

Gavin said of “A Christmas Story,” “It’s just a really fun show for kids and adults of all ages.”