October 04, 2022: Series 05
"You're creating this emotion, you're creating something with your voice and your body and your mind and you're making an impact on somebody."
How does theater allow you to express yourself?
I think that getting the opportunity to try out different characters on stage is the biggest like facet of creativity. It's a good way to explore your own personality, see what you like, kind of get to know yourself better. And also, it's just like this, I don't know how to describe it, in terms of creativity, but it's almost like an outpouring of energy that might not be like yours exactly. but it fits.
Describe your favorite show you’ve been a part of, and what does it mean to you?
I think my favorite show that I've been a part of is She Kills Monsters. We did that last year for our spring play. And it was just a really special time. I think that was a time when I was close with a lot of the seniors who were leaving and so it was like, kind of the final, the final time I was gonna get to be with them. Also, I think it was a really big growing period and it was definitely more on the edgy side of genres of plays and musicals that I've done. Partly because like when I was younger, they didn't really have us doing like, I guess more on the dark side of stuff. But also Mrs. Porter is kind of changing her style, changing the direction she wants the theater program to go into. It was just a really good experience. I think people there's some people that got a lot closer. It kind of built more of a community than it already was and it was just a really special thing.
Who/What are your artistic influences and why?
In terms of artistic influences, I guess I don't spend a lot of time like researching theater or watching other plays. I mean, I do watch the other plays, but like I don’t go out of my way and like, see somebody that may inspire me. I think I just, like, learned that I like seeing people on TV. And even though stage acting and on screen acting are completely different, it's still the same kind of principle. And I think I just like, grew up watching these people and I was like “I want to do that. That's so cool. Like, these people are so cool.” But if I had to pick an inspiration, I'd probably say Miss Porter. She I don't know, she has a very good heart and the way that she approaches things I think is for the most part very fair and just.
What are your favorite parts about the Sage Creek drama program? Is there anything that you would change?
It's really coming back to community and for me. I think the group, even though it's different every year with the types of people, the amount of people, and the grades. It's such a special thing to like see all these people who love what they're doing and love each other. And to know that like that's, that's a community. You have a group of people and it doesn't matter like grades or gender or race or anything. It's very much we're all equals and we respect each other. I think the only thing that I would change is, because the community tends to get so loving, it can get a little exclusive. I've been fortunate enough to never be on the outside of it. I've always had friends in one capacity or another that have included me, but I know that maybe starting from scratch or like being brand new to the program can be difficult. Like even though everyone's very friendly, it can still feel like you're kind of on the outside of this like, really concrete thing. That's all I would change. I would try and make it a little bit less exclusive.
What is the power of theater?
I think the power of theater is that it makes you feel something, even if you're onstage, you're still feeling things. Maybe it comes easier to other people. Maybe the emotions are more natural or they're more like something you relate to or connect with on an easier scale. But if you're in the audience, and you're watching these people, the point is to make you feel something and if you're doing that, then that's really powerful. You're creating this emotion, you're creating something with your voice and your body and your mind and you're making an impact on somebody. I think that's a very special thing.
If you've made it this far... get tickets for Much Ado About Nothing. Purchase tickets HERE
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