Tartan High School Theater Students Honored in Spotlight Showcase

Tartan High School was one of 47 schools to participate in the Orpheum Theater's sold out 2011 Spotlight Showcase Monday night. Intended to recognize outstanding achievements in musical theatre, the school was recognized for Outstanding Performance in Orchestra and received Honorable Mention for Performance in Chorus/Ensemble. Several Tartan students were honored individually for performances in the school’s production of Little Shop of Horrors.

Oakdale Patch caught up a few students at Monday night’s show to ask them about their life in the theater.

Emily Morley is a senior who played Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors. She is pictured in the photo gallery.

Oakdale Patch: What’s your dream role?

Emily Morley: Ophelia from Hamlet.

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

Morley: Mamma Mia! [because of] the music and colors.

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

Morley: Yes!

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

Morley: They have been super supportive and I will miss them next year!

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

Morley: The start of something bigger.

Whitney Russell is a sophomore who received Honorable Mention for Performance in a Leading Role as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. She is pictured in the photo gallery.

Oakdale Patch: What’s your dream role?

Russell: Elle Woods from Legally Blonde: The Musical.

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

Russell: Legally Blonde: The Musical because I loved the movie and I love the music from the show. And it’s funny.

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

Russell: Yes.

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

Russell: It’s reassuring to be surrounded by the people you love and you know they’ll help you through anything.

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

Russell: I feel very privileged; to be able to perform on the Orpheum Stage is such an amazing experience to have, especially as a high schooler.

Senior Giovanna Popoca played Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors. She is pictured in the photo gallery.

Oakdale Patch: What's your dream role?

Giovanna Popoca: My dream would be to play Rosy from Bye Bye Birdie.

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

Popoca: Bye Bye Birdie.

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

Popoca: Yes!

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

Popoca: It helped to know how to deal with different kinds of pressure.

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

Popoca: I'm so honored and amazed to receive such an honor. It really means the world to me.

Junior Javier Juarez received Honorable Mention for Performance in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. He is pictured in the photo gallery.

Oakdale Patch: What’s your dream role?

Javier Juarez: Daniel in Once on This Island.

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

Juarez: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

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

Juarez: Yes, it’s my dream.

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

Juarez: I feel very proud to represent my school.

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

Juarez: More than I could ask for.