Eastview Theater Student Wins Prestigious Award at Orpheum's Spotlight Showcase

was one of 47 schools to participate in the Orpheum Theater's sold out 2011 Spotlight Showcase on Monday night, which is intended to recognize outstanding achievements in musical theater. Eastview students performed a number from this year's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

In addition to being recognized as a group for Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical, a number of Eastview students were singled out for individual achievements. Senior Sarah Cartwright took home one of the night's most prestigious honors, winning the Spotlight Showcase's Triple Threat Award. The award recognizes her as the most outstanding musical theatre actress in the state. She will next move on to the national competition at the Tisch School for the Arts at New York University. The winner of the national competition will receive $10,000 and a four-year scholarship to the Tisch School of the Arts, worth $250,000.

Patch caught up with a few other Eastview High School performers to ask them about their life in the theater.

Senior Carl Proepper performed in the chorus of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." His photograph is featured in the photo gallery.

Apple Valley Patch: What's your dream role?

Carl Proepper: To play Phantom in "Phantom of the Opera."

Apple Valley Patch: What's your favorite piece of musical theater and why?

Proepper: "Fiddler on the Roof," because it has more depth beyond the basic love story.

Apple Valley Patch: Do you hope to stay with theater beyond high school?

Proepper: I do hope to stay with theater, and audition during college.

Apple Valley Patch: How has performing with your high school troupe enriched your talent?

Proepper: I have had the opportunity to watch and learn from incredible talent, and learn from a director [who is] beyond comparison.

Apple Valley Patch: What does today's honor mean to you?

Proepper: Today's honor show me that our hard work came together to make an incredible show that was appreciated by the Spotlight judges.

Senior Amanda Taylor played Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie this spring, and was recognized for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role. She is pictured in the photo gallery.

Apple Valley Patch: What's your dream role?

Amanda Taylor: Lady Macbeth.

Apple Valley Patch: What's your favorite piece of musical theater and why?

Taylor: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." It's lively and a wonderfully fun story.

Apple Valley Patch: Do you hope to stay with theater beyond high school?

Taylor: Absolutely.

Apple Valley Patch: How has performing with your high school troupe enriched your talent?

Taylor: It has made learning how to dance a lot easier.

Apple Valley Patch: What does today's honor mean to you?

Taylor: It means that I have run the race and finished strong. After all the work I have done, today's honor means a lot to me.

Junior Peter Cassada played Trevor Graydon III in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and was recognized for Oustanding Performance in a Leading Role.

Apple Valley Patch: What's your dream role?

Peter Cassada: My dream role is a prince in "Into the Woods." 

Apple Valley Patch: What's your favorite piece of musical theater and why?

Cassada: "Into the Woods."

Apple Valley Patch: Do you hope to stay with theater beyond high school?

Cassada: Perhaps as a music director.

Apple Valley Patch: How has performing with your high school troupe enriched your talent?

Cassada: It expanded my range of music genres for singing.

Apple Valley Patch: What does today's honor mean to you?

Cassada: It's an honor because it feels great to know my hard work has paid off.

Sophomore JacLyn Anderson played Ruth Dombrowsky in "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Her picture is included in the photo gallery.

Apple Valley Patch: What's your dream role?

JacLyn Anderson: My dream role would be Sandy in the musical "Grease," because I love the music she sings and the transformation she goes through.

Apple Valley Patch: What's your favorite piece of musical theater and why?

Anderson: Right now, it would be a tie between "Chicago" and "Wicked"! They both have fantastic plot lines and amazing music.

Apple Valley Patch: Do you hope to stay with theater beyond high school?

Anderson: I hope to do a lot of community theater, but I want to focus more on vocal music and teaching.

Apple Valley Patch: How has performing with your high school troupe enriched your talent?

Anderson: It has helped me grow so much in singing, acting, dancing, time management and responsibility. The directors are so amazing, and it's such a blessing to work with them.

Apple Valley Patch: What does today's honor mean to you?

Anderson: It means so much! It's so nice to display our hard work and see the beautiful productions of others.