Meet the Artist: Olivia Barrington

I didn’t know who Olivia was when she first showed up on Make-up crew, but I did know she was very into doing Make-up and was very good.  From there I learned more about her, her hate for everything….just kidding.  But this girl has the most interesting taste and you will always laugh when she is around, her dark sarcastic humor is amusing.  So, here’s to Olivia!

1. What inspired your journey into the arts?

When I was little, my mom and aunt would go see a play once a year. One year, they chose to go see Wicked in Chicago, so my mom bought the CD. Every time we drove in the car after that, we would listen to the Wicked sound track. I fell in love with it, so much that my mom decided to take me to see the show while it was still in Chicago. I was so excited, I think I even got to miss a day of school. I was so excited, I think I knew almost all of the words to most of the songs when we went. The show itself was incredible. During one of the opening numbers they blasted green and pink streamers into the crowd, and I think I still have a green one in my keepsake box. That show really stuck with me, so after starting middle school, I began acting in the school plays there and I did one or two outside of school in the summer. Then starting my sophomore year I started doing make up for the homestead shows and now I’m back into acting again with Theater Production Seminar.

2. Who is your character and how have you created that personality? What has been the biggest challenge you have come across in your character so far?

Currently I am working on a two person show called “Duck Variations” for a final project. My character is Georgia, a girl variation on the character in the show George because originally it was scripted to be two men. Georgia is an older woman, and shes not quite all there. Also, because she is elderly, she believes everything she says is correct.

3. What are your funniest and worst experiences preforming in front of an audience?

Well okay in front of an audience I’ve never really embarrassed myself that I can recall, but for one show I had fake nails on. We didn’t cut them down and they were very long, and painted black. So that entire week of school I couldn’t pick up my pencil or do anything really because these nails were so incredibly ridiculous.

4.If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

If I could work with anybody I would act with John Huges directing me. I actually hail from the area where many of his movies took place and were filmed during the 80′s and almost all of my favorites rat pack movies were directed by him.

5. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
I’m actually still really proud of the decision I made back in the beginning of sophomore year to go help out with make up for the Narnia play after hearing the announcement. It got me back into theatre and I’ve made some of the best friends from that decision. One of my goals is to get back into acting again, I’ve lost a fair number of years to work on my skills and I just miss it greatly.

6.What do you want to do After High School? Do you have any dreams or hopes for the Future? Do you know where you are going to school?

After high school, I plan on attending either University of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue University, located in Indiana. I plan on majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in foreign languages. I’m really just looking for a job with travel, I could never come and do the same thing all day every day, like I do as a student.

7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what tasty treat would you prepare?

To dinner I would invite John Huges, naturally, Oscar Wilde, and probably Brendon Urie, of Panic! At The Disco. Each of them was involved in some aspect of the arts and I would love to get to know each of them. I would probably serve Spaghetti because its my favorite dish to eat.

8. What is your favorite genre of music? Why?

Wow, asking me my favorite genre of music is a little bit like asking a fish what type of water he likes to swim in. I guess I listen mostly to indie music, bands like Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver, and Edward Sharpe. I also really like certain types of pop bands, like Panic! at the Disco or pop punk like Fall Out Boy. It depends greatly on my mood, to be honest.

9. Have you read any plays lately? What are your favorite?

I’m not currently reading anything but I’ve got As You Like It by Shakespeare and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde lined up.

10. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself!
1. Nobody has seen my natural hair color since 7th grade.
2. At one point in my life I was so obsessed with Harry Potter, I went to a Harry Potter summer camp that also involved horse back riding.
3. I’ve never visited the dentist.
4. I have two cats named Montague and Capulet and Romeo and Juliet is my least favorite play, ever.
5. My middle name means “love” in at least 3 different languages.

Meet the Artist: Maddie Fricker

It wasn’t until this year that I realized (through my sister, Lillian) that Maddie was that adorable Gretel in Sound of Music.  What happened?  Ok, all joking aside, Maddie has an amazing voice and her acting skills are being used well this trimester.  It was been quite exciting to work with Maddie for two years now.  This girl will do amazing things in the years to come at HHS!

1. How did you get into theatre?
I don’t even remember how I started with the arts… According to my parents I used to perform shows in front of them in our living room when I was really little, and it just took off from there.

2. Are you performing in any current projects? Who is your character and how have you created that personality?
I just finished Seminar’s Ajax in Iraq. I played Gertrude Bell, Debbie, and I was in the chorus as well. One thing I especially did to create the Gertrude personality was do some research on her because she was real and was very influential in the Middle-East and Britain, especially for a woman at her time.

3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
Funniest: In the first play I was in, I had to be a bank robber that had to do Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance….still don’t understand what that had to do with the show at all.
Worst: Having to ballroom dance with Anika Hitt in Fiddler on the Roof was pretty rough.

4. What kind of role do you want to do most?
I guess I like dramatic roles, but comedic character roles are pretty fun too.

5. Who is your role model? Why?
Jennifer Lawrence: she’s been so successful but she still seems down-to-earth and relatable.

6. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
I’d probably work with Aaron Tveit because I’m obsessed with him. (I met him once and it was probably the best moment of my life.)

7. What is better: to perform in theatre or film?
Theatre. Being able to actually connect with a live audience really adds to every aspect of the production.

8. Have you read any plays recently? What are your favorite?
I haven’t read any plays recently beside Ajax in Iraq, and I don’t really have a favorite. My favorite show, though, is definitely Les Mis.

9. What has been the best character role you have performed?
The best character role I’ve had was probably Mrs. Potts or Cogsworth in Beauty in the Beast. (I was in that show twice and played both roles)
10. What kind of character roles do you prefer? Comedic character roles are probably what I’d prefer because they’re so fun to play, but I like dramatic ones too.

5 facts about me…
-All my aunts are named Tracey.
-My favorite movies are probably The Notebook and Titanic.
-I think I’ve memorized all the lines to the movies above…
-I had an imaginary friend named Hobie when I was five. Then one day I decided Hobie died because he was shot in an alley by a policeman.
-I can’t stand peanut butter or mayonnaise.

Meet the Artist: Halee Newby

This girl!  She has been wonderful for three years now.  And she will do anything, directing, make-up, acting, dance, band.  Halee is great and I am pleased to let you guys get to know her just that much more.  She might be the strongest person I know and I’m so happy to be apart of her life!

1. What inspired your journey into the Arts? Why did you get into Theatre?

My journey into the arts in third grade when I saw 42nd street with my mom. I was enticed by the physicality and talent of the actors on stage and joined dance soon after. My reason for joining theatre actually lies within a past actor at Homestead, Will Dowsett. He and I are neighbors and when I was a freshman I saw him on stage and remember thinking how brave he was and how much I would love to be a part of something like theatre. I owe a lot to him, actually.

2. Are you performing in any current projects? Who is your Character and how have you created that personality?

I am not preforming in any shows currently!

3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

This one is easy. In fourth grade I played one of two wicked step sisters in a production of Cinderella. I insisted on wearing heels for the show. Although the play took place in the Donges Bay cafeteria, I still managed to trip… Multiple times. There was nothing graceful about it and I still couldn’t tell you why I didn’t just take those heels off. I’ve always been determined, I suppose!

4. What kind of role you want to do the most?

My dream role is to sit in front of the performers and watch my ideas unfold in front of me. How lucky am I to have been able to achieve that dream already?

5. Who is your role model? Why?

As unoriginal as it sounds, my role model is Emma Watson. But not because she is a fantastic actress or because she was in Harry Potter. I am inspired by the fact that she was able to go to and finish college at Brown University. She did not follow the path that many actors choose in not finishing their education and acknowledged that she may not be an actress for her whole life. I find that so admirable.

6. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?

If I could work with any actors, they would be Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. I don’t believe that I’ve ever seen a movie of theirs that I didn’t just love. Their dynamic is wonderful and quite frankly, working with any other actors seems like it would be very boring.

7. What is better to perform in theater or film?

In my opinion, preforming (or watching a performance) on stage is unequivocally better than preforming in a film. Stage acting is so real and in the moment. There are no redo’s or do overs and I find that exhilarating!

8. Have you read any plays lately? What are your favorite?

I have no read any new plays recently, but I could read any Shakespearean tragedy over and over again

9. Which has been the best character role that you have performed?

Umm… Assistant director number One?!

10. What kind of character roles do you prefer?

In my opinion, the most fun role to watch is the antagonist. I think that is the role that people can have the most fun with because all you really need to know is why you’re mad. Once you know the why to your character, you can make it whatever you want!

Meet the Artist: Julie Wermuth

Julia Wermuth has always been the Make-up girl in my mind, but this year she has pleasantly surprised me, and I’ve been very excited to work with her on acting her senior year.  She is the so talented in everything she does, make-up, acting, music, Forensics!  Here she is!

1. What inspired your journey into the Arts?
I’ve always been the band kid…and still am the band kid…yes, that annoying band kid…and I was in my church choir and Milwaukee Children’s Choir among other things, so I’ve always mainly been involved in the music portion of the arts. I didn’t decide to really venture into the crazy world of the dramatic arts until this year. Forensics, performing funny skits with my cousins as a child, and watching the awesome creations of the students in Homestead drama really inspired me to go for it this year.

2. Who is your Character and how have you created that personality? What has been the biggest challenge you have come across in your character so far?
My character is Marjorie Baverstock. She’s a producer, obsessed with herself, and nearly everyone hates her mean and catty attitude. I have had no trouble portraying Marjorie Baverstock. I am Marjorie Baverstock.

3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
Funniest: Singing a solo about ice cream and ham for one of my elementary school’s patriotic assemblies in fourth grade.
Worst: All of the knee bruises resulting from numerous falls off of a particularly comfy red chair.

4. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Morgan Freeman. He always seems to be the actor portraying god. Maybe he is god?

5. What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill?
Breaking out of the safety of my backstage make-up room and going for something on the stage. Hopefully I can continue to work on acting in the future, because it really is just way too much fun.

6. What do you want to do After High School? Do you have any dreams or hopes for the Future? Do you know where you are going to school?
I will be attending Belmont University with a Music Business major. You know those songs that whenever you hear them, they remind you of a memory or a moment or someone or something? I want to be able to create something like that for someone else. I want to make music that makes people remember and laugh and relive. Being a part of that process, to create or share something like that…That’s my dream.

7. Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what tasty treat would you prepare?
Harry Styles, The Queen of England, and a Beefeater (to keep the peace…and because they wear very stylish hats…) Just to see how British teen boy superficiality would mix with the “pinkies up” of proper British royalty. Naturally, we’d have tea and crumpets.

8. What is your favorite genre of music? Why?
I do not discriminate. Love all the music (except dubstep)

9. Have you read any plays lately? What are your favorite?
McMurders!

10. Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself!
I love ketchup a lot.
I wish I had a British accent.
I wear bright lipstick around my house sometimes for fun.
I make a mean batch of mint brownies.
I used to be obsessed with Panic! at the Disco.

How theatres can make everyone fight for the arts

Originally Posted by

Lyn Gardner

Tuesday 7 May 2013 11.48 EDT guardian.co.uk

Local theatres must engage with their communities through education and participatory initiatives, thereby creating an army of advocates governments can’t ignore

Is the conversation around arts funding becoming more grown up? There are signs that it is, and it couldn’t come at a better time – just a couple of weeks after Maria Miller laid out her stall at the British Museum with a speech that clearly saw the value of the arts being in the contribution they make to boosting the economy.

Well, the arts do make a considerable contribution to growth and the economy – as the report by the Centre for Economics and Business proves: they account for just 0.1% of public spending, but make up 0.4% of GDP. If such reports are couched in a way the Treasury understands, they should help – but it’s worth remembering that the arts do a great deal else apart from contributing to GDP.

Philanthropist Aileen Getty put it well a couple of weeks ago on making a $1m donation to London’s Circus Space: “One may question the importance of supporting the Circus Arts when basic needs in our cities are so great and not being met. I have thought deeply about this over the years, and believe you cannot underestimate the value of keeping wonder alive. Wonder keeps our spirits joyous and resilient.”

The What Next? meeting in London last week brought together those working in all art forms to discuss how to frame the conversation in different ways, and who is best placed to make the arguments in a manner that the government – not just the current coalition but all future governments of any political persuasion – will hear and understand. The same applies to local politicians of all political persuasions. The answer to the latter question is, of course, the electorate.

Governments expect the likes of Nicholas Hytner and Danny Boyle to bat hard for the arts, and despite their enormous achievements it’s too easy for their arguments to be dismissed as coming from those with a vested interest. But it’s quite another matter for politicians to dismiss the advocacy of the people who have the power to vote for them and their parties. They wouldn’t dare, in fact: hence the kind of U-turn that followed the widespread opposition to the proposed sell-off of the forests.

Perhaps it was a mistake to have so many people from the arts and so few members of the public in the room, and What Next? doesn’t begin to address fundamental funding issues in theatre, including the fact that we have too many theatre buildings, or funding inequalities across the country.

But the approach – which sees itself as a movement, not a campaign – is a smart way forward in more ways than one. For a start, it changes the tone of a debate that often seems stuck in the confrontational positions and slanging matches between artists and politicians of the 80s as a result of arts cuts. It repositions the debate in a place where dialogue can remain open and ongoing between those working in the arts and those running the country. The coalition will not be in power for ever, so the conversation must be with every political party, and it has to be ongoing, not just taking place when threats to funding are imminent.

Second, What Next? is founded on the idea that everything is connected: subsidised organisations, the commercial sector (Nica Burns offered her Nimax theatres around London for the day) and amateur arts (9.4 million people regularly take part in amateur arts activities) are deeply entwined with each other, as are the arts and education. There was a fantastic contribution from a teacher and students at Mulberry School in Tower Hamlets, who talked about how putting arts at the heart of the school had helped not only to raise grades but confidence and happiness. It would be good to have more evidence of this.

One of the most encouraging developments in recent years is the increased understanding from theatres and companies that education and participatory initiatives must be at the heart of their work. They are core activities, not add-ons, because for many in the local community it is these, not another revival of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, that make a real difference to their lives – and which, crucially, they will be willing to defend.

The excellent My Theatre Matters campaign has already capitalised on the fact that audiences and artists can be mobilised as advocates for the arts and for individual buildings in their communities. What Next? recognises that the debate around arts funding needs to change too and that everyone involved in the arts needs to take responsibility for that debate and not just leave it to high-profile arts leaders.

The best place for everyone to start is in their own community, focusing on those who already engage with the arts and, perhaps more importantly, on reaching those who don’t. If building audiences and arts engagement, and widening arts access at grassroots level, are prioritised, it could be that the arts find they have an army of advocates. It is those people whom this and future governments can’t afford to ignore.

Meet the Artist: Michaela Miller

Michaela has always been a person I liked.  At first for her hair, then as a human.  She is also a very talented actress and costumer.  She has a natural way of acting that brings her characters to life and makes us want to watch her.  I hope you have all seen her act, and are waiting for more as she is only a Sophomore!  Enjoy!

1. What inspired your journey into the Arts? Why did you get into Theatre?
I have always had an interest in performing in some way. I loved just being a center of attention. It at first was singing and joining choir at my old schools and being the singer for my middle schools jazz band in NC. When I came to HHS I though I would try out for the fall play as something new and a way to disconnect from reality.

2. Are you performing in any current projects? Who is your Character and how have you created that personality?
I am currently in the Seminar Theatre Production, Ajax in Iraq. I play Judy, a veteran who doesn’t feel supported by her country, A NOG soldier, and a chorus member. With Judy I have found anger and sadness. With the NOG soldier I found confusion and fear as well with the Chorus member.

3. What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
My funniest experience, well I really don’t think I have had one except for just funny scenes in the shows. The worst, I was a sheep (but hey I had a line in my first show).

4. What kind of role you want to do the most?
Probably something more of a romantic comedy.

5. Who is your role model? Why?
My role model would probably be Chloë Moretz because she’s so young and just so talented and can play any role thrown at her.

6. If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Probably her.

7. What is better to perform in theater or film?
Well I haven’t performed in film, but I feel as if it would be easier because you can keep restarting. In threatre you have to keep going even if you mess up and it is live.

8. Have you read any plays lately? What are your favorite?
No..

9. Which has been the best character role that you have performed?My characters in Ajax are probably the best because I have lines, and cool scenes to work with, not just an extra.

10. What kind of character roles do you prefer?
I really like the challenging roles I currently have.

Meet the Artist: Katie Bandurski

Katie Bandurski has been involved in the HHS theatre as not only an actor, but a costumer as well.  She is one of those kids that wants to be involved no matter what, and this is what makes her so special.  Weather it’s on stage or off, Katie is having fun and working hard.  She is also one of the nicest people in the world!  So, here is Junior, Katie Bandurski!

What inspired your journey into the Arts?
I’ve never really been “artistic” in the sense that most people imagine; I can’t paint, sculpt or draw to save my life! But in middle school, I began to delve into the art of communication through plays, speeches and forensics, and I’ve been involved ever since.

Who is your Character and how have you created that personality? What has been the biggest challenge you have come across in your character so far?
Currently I’m involved with the Acting Seminar production “Ajax in Iraq” as the Greek goddess, Athena. I’ve determined that although she is wise, her sadistic nature can take hold and control her actions; she is also conceited and power-hungry.

What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?
Worst – Forgetting the Introduction to my Forensics piece during the first round. I stood there awkwardly for a good 10 seconds before I moved on.

If you had a chance to work with anyone of your choosing, who would it be?
Tom Hanks. He’s played so many versatile roles and I would love to get some acting tips!

What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfill? 
I guess I’m most proud of the incredible connections I’ve made with my fellow cast members. As for dreams, I would love the opportunity to perform in a professional production of some sort.

What do you want to do After High School? Do you have any dreams or hopes for the Future? Do you know where you are going to school?
After high school I plan on pursuing a degree in Journalism, but I would love to keep acting as a hobby.

Which three famous people would you invite to dinner and why [dead celebrities included]? And what tasty treat would you prepare?
Marie Antoinette, Simon Baker, and Rupert Grint, mainly because it’s a really random assortment of people and I’d be interested to see what conversations begin. I would serve couscous.

What is your favorite genre of music? Why?
I listen to a lot of different stuff, but mainly it’s some form of alternative music: Death Cab for Cutie, the Killers, Fun., Imagine Dragons, the Avett Brothers, I could go on forever!

Have you read any plays lately? What are your favorite?
I love Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” and even though it’s a novel and not a play, “The Catcher in the Rye” is by far my favorite book. I think Holden would have a very interesting stage presence.

Tell us 5 interesting and unknown facts about yourself!
1. I used to have a pet lobster named Lucifer.
2. I have been a vegetarian since 7th grade.
3. My favorite TV show is Criminal Minds.
4. I’ve reread the Harry Potter series every summer since 5th grade.
5. I love thrifting.