Ongoing Spotlight: Eastview Theater Students Close Out Successful Year

Monday's Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Showcase saw students honored individually and as a group for the 2010-2011 school year's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Patch spoke with a few theater students as they ended their year.

Apple Valley Patch: What’s your dream role?

Lara Akal: Tough question. I would love to play Christine in "Phantom of the Opera" or Maria in "West Side Story." Both of these two characters have been my favorites for ages.

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

Akal: Another tough question! I can't choose a clear favorite, but would have to say "A Chorus Line" is an amazing piece of musical theater because it highlights the audition process and what the actors/dancers are really feeling and thinking when they audition. The music is phenomenal and the dancing is second to none! 

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

Akal: It would be nice if I could keep being involved with theater after high school; it's something I've thought about for a while.

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

Akal: I love watching some of our really great talents at Eastview and it really helps me learn what I can do to get better.

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

Akal: I am thrilled that we won so many outstanding awards for our show and it's important to me because this show took a lot of effort from everyone to make it perfect. We've really made it a fantastic production.

Sarah Olson is a senior at Eastview High School.

Apple Valley Patch: What’s your dream role?

Sarah Olson: My dream role would be Elphaba in "Wicked."

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

Olson: My favorite piece of musical theater is "West Side Story," because it was one of the first ones I saw performed and it stuck with me in a big way. I also love that it is based off of "Romeo and Juliet," one of my favorite Shakespeare plays.

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

Olson: I hope to stay in theater beyond high school. This is the first (and since I've graduated now, also the last) musical that I have participated in during high school. But it has sparked a passion for theater in me that I want to continue to follow in the years to come.

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

Olson: Performing with the cast at my high school has helped me grow so much. As a newbie to the cast who does not participate in choir, my classmates and directors have taught me everything I know about performing and singing. And when I see the excellence in my friends and castmates around me, it makes me push myself to be better.

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

Olson: Today's honor was tremendous. The chance to perform at the Orpheum was spectacular, and it felt wonderful to be commended for all of the hard work we put into the show.

Leah Riddle is a sophomore at Eastview and received Honorable Mention for Performance in a Featured Role for her portrayal of Ethel Peas in "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

Apple Valley Patch: What’s your dream role?

Leah Riddle: Glinda in "Wicked."

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

Riddle: Anything from "Billy Elliott," because I just saw the show when it came to Minneapolis last December and loved it.

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

Riddle: Yes.

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

Riddle: We all work really hard because we love it so much. The directors and choreographers and vocal directors are amazing and they teach us skills that challenge us. They are supportive and believe in us.

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

Riddle: It means a lot coming from the Spotlight judges and being recognized by this organization. I am very proud to be a student at Eastview High School’s theater department. It is my second family.