Catherine Pierre-Louis: Wise Beyond Her Years

Catherine Pierre-Louis can sing. She’s been doing so for years and finally earned herself the prestigious title of section leader for the altos in Concert Choir at this year. In addition to being part of the , Music Makers and Concert Choir, Pierre-Louis has been performing on stage at the high school since her freshman year. She has carried ensemble roles in Fiddler on the Roof, Pirates of Penzance and On the Town. Her first lead comes as she transforms into Madame Giry for .

Q: What do you like best about being one of nine leads?
A: It’s been great because the nine of us call ourselves the “nonagon.” We are spending a lot of time together and it’s a lot of fun.

Q: Tell us about your character Madame Giry…
A: She is the ballet mistress and that sounds scandalous to me! She knows more about the phantom. She is very protective over her daughter (played by Julia Grimm) and encourages everyone to stay on the Phantom’s good side. If anyone would be on his good side, it would be her. She kind of feels bad for him.

Q: How do you get into character?
A: It’s hard because she is so much older than me and has a kid! I relate to her, in the fact that she is very independent. She puts on a strict demeanor­– she’s stern and a little intimidating. Mostly she means business and I can mean business.

Q: What was the first musical you ever saw?
A: We the People at Walsh Intermediate School. I was never interested in musicals until that point. As terrible as some people thought it was, it was the reason I auditioned the next year.

Q: What are your post-graduate plans?
A: College… I am waiting to hear from most places.

Q: Will you continue to pursue music?
A: Yes, I would like to join an a cappella group.

Q: What has your four years with BHS performing arts been like for you?
A: I feel like from the time you are a freshman, you think about what you are doing senior year. You always dream that you’ll get one of those roles. I think it’s really cool that in my senior year we get to do something so huge.

Meet senior Julia Grimm in next week’s edition of the Behind the Mask.