This summer HHCA students used their theatrical abilities in and out of South Carolina. This article will highlight several opportunities HHCA's students had throughout the summer.
Once Upon a Mattress:
HHCA's Summer Stock show this year was Once Upon a Mattress. Summer Stock ran from May 28-June 8 at HHCA. It consisted of talented kids from first grade up to eighth grade. The story is based off the classic tale The Princess and the Pea. It is based around a girl named Fred (Millie Gilbreath) who is the final princess to be tested for the hand of Prince Dauntless (George Hussey). The tests are given by Queen Agrivain (Gracen Denton) who finds the hardest tests for each princess to pass. Some other characters in this show include the silent king (Jack Mau), the Wizard (Dawson Taylor), Sir Harry (Walker Bradly), and Lucille (Isabel Taylor). Not only was the cast from HHCA, so was the director, Michelle McElroy and the music director, Beth Green. The show also had several HHCA high schoolers as helpers behind the scenes.
High School Musical:
Main Street Youth Theater’s summer production of High School Musical was also directed by Michelle McElroy. Although it wasn’t performed in HHCA’s theater, there were still several students representing our Fine Arts Program. High School Musical is about a girl named Gabriella Montez (Harper Krimm), who ends up falling for the basketball star Troy Bolton (Daniel Harrington). Along the way they make friends such as Taylor Mcessie (Gracie Auld), but also have struggles with people like Sharpay Evans (Ellie Lentz). The show was filled with fun dance numbers and smiling faces as the cast took the stage. High School Musical ran from June 18-June 30, with ten shows all together plus a preview.
Outsiders:
Michelle McElroy capped off a busy summer directing May River Theatre's production of The Outsides. was the director. Like Once Upon a Mattress and High School Musical, this show had a few HHCA representatives as well. Emma Stewart, Ben Jones, Ellie Lentz, and Gracie Auld all had a part to play in this show. Outsiders is a play that is based off of the book written by S.E Hinton. It follows the story of Ponyboy, a young boy who wants to find his place in the world. The story also follows two different groups of people, the soc’s and the greasers. There are several hardships and fights that come into play that help shape the show. This show, like the others, was a success for Michelle McElroy, the cast and the crew. The shows ran from July 25-28 and from Aug 1-4.
Outside of South Carolina:
Students Annabel Court, Elliott Lentz and Sydney Cullen all did out of state camps to help grow in their artistic abilities.
Annabel Court participated in the Virginia Samford Theaters Stars program, and performed the show Mary Poppins, Jr. The show was created over two weeks and then performed over two more weeks. In all she spent four weeks in Alabama doing this show. She played a chimney sweep and got to dance and sing from 9-4 every weekday. The camp had 50 kids involved, split into two casts for the show. Having two casts taught her to rely on the people around her and herself, not just the director. It was a different experience than she was used to, but she still loved it. Annabel says she loved the camp and how she got to learn under the instruction of new people to get a different perspective. She also loved the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
Sydney Cullen participated in a dance intensive held in Chicago called Ballet 5:8. The intensive was five weeks long running from July 1-August 2. During the intensive she not only danced every day from 10-5 but also choreographed a dance for other students from July 15-19. This intensive incorporated different dancing activities to spark creativity for each student. At the end of the process the intensive had groups of 3-5 girls who performed a dance they made up for the audience. Sydney Cullen says that she loved the opportunity that she received. She learned so many new skills from such influential people.
Elliott Lentz participated in one of the final cities on the broadway dreams "Unplugged" tour. The weeklong intensive is a program of strenuous professional training, with sessions in major metropolis areas. In addition to technical skills and training with Broadways finest, students are empowered with leadership and teamwork building skills that are applicable to a life in and outside of the performing arts. Elliott won a full scholarship for three different major cities this year and chose New York. She was given the amazing opportunity to be mentored by and perform with Alex Newell, Nick Adams, Christopher Hanks, Ryann Redmond, Rachel Hoffman and many more.