Local High School Seniors Reflect on Curtains

Local High School Seniors reflect on Riverbend Youth Company
by Janine Leffler


Spring has sprung and high school graduation is upon us. The Riverbend Youth Company performs Curtains next weekend and I spoke recently to two seniors in this show about their experiences in productions at the Amato Center.

Julie Leone is homeschooled from Temple New Hampshire. Curtains is her second production at the Amato Center following last Fall's Friends Of The Amato Center production of Mary Poppins. When asked why she auditioned for Curtains she stated " I had never heard of the show, but after reading about it, I decided that it seemed super fun and I wanted to audition! Plus the whole cast would be people my age, and I figured that would make it even more fun (I was right)." Leone has had a wonderful experience so far in Curtains and went on to explain, " I felt very welcomed last year when I was cast in Mary Poppins, and that feeling has only grown as I’ve gotten to know so many awesome people." When asked what her favorite song in Curtains is she stated, “Show People” is definitely my favorite song because it’s so true for all of us as theatre people! We sing; “It’s an honor and a joy to be in show business!” and I truly feel that way. Plus the choreography is awesome."
Leone heads off in the fall to Sante Fe College hoping to later transfer to University of Florida where she hopes to major in English and minor in theatre

Meghan McKnight is a senior at Souhegan High School in Amherst. She has been in many productions at the Amato Center and her favorite roles include Glinda in Wizard Of Oz, Greek Chorus in Legally Blonde The Musical and Mrs. Cratchit in Scrooge The Musical. McKnight plays Bambi in Curtains and when asked about her character she stated, "This character is unique because she is the comic relief of the show. Although I have played characters similar to her, someone who is girly and flighty, Bambi is a little different. She has her own spunk and is one of my favorite characters in the show. (not just because I play her)". Leone and McKnight share similar sentiments about their favorite song in the show being Show People, "This is my favorite because it really is a true representation of how people in theater are. It is a fun number, and has lots of dancing which is one of my favorite parts about being in theater. "
McKnight heads off this fall to Emmanuel College in Boston where she will study Elementary Education. She shared the following sentiments about her experiences at the Amato Center, " Doing theater at the BGC is one of my favorite things in the world. It has impacted me from the very beginning and that is why I’m going to miss it so much. I have been a crew member, an actor and an audience member for seven years and this is the best place to do what I love. I have learned everything from how to sing and dance but also life lessons I’ll never forget. "




Why should you come see Curtains? McKnight stated, " People should come see Curtains because it’s a show about theater people, it’s funny and dramatic. It has every character you will love and hate. It’s also a murder mystery so you can guess who did it along the way, while listening to some great singing and watch some fabulous choreography. " Leone adds," The cast and production team have all worked so hard to pull this together, and it’s going to be a great show!"

Curtains runs at the Amato Center for The Performing Arts at 56 Mt Vernon Street in Milford. Evening performances are at 7:30pm on May 5th,6th and 7th and 2pm on May 7th. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Come solve the mystery and enjoy the show.

For the seniors McKnight, Leone, Megan Dillon, Benny Gottwald and Max Ayotte, I leave you with the following quote from Newsies, "Arise and seize the day." Good luck to you all in the future. You will be greatly missed next year and thank you for all you have given to Riverbend.

A photo  of Meghan McKnight was not available at press time.