Bellefonte’s Performing Arts program will be performing Charlotte’s Web in mid-November this year. Cast and crew prepare for their stage presence with memorizing lines, practicing getting into character, creating friendships, and preparing the stage for the performance of a lifetime.
Bellefonte students congratulate their exchange student from Morocco, junior Hiba El Annasi, on her accomplishment of getting the lead role of Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web. She comes from a small high school in Tangier City named Bir Anzarane.
There isn’t much of a drama program in her old school, so she doesn’t have any background in drama. She felt that she had always been interested in drama, but was never given the chance to be involved.
“I have always been interested in drama and wished to participate but I never went to any of their meetings because I could tell it wasn’t an environment I’d like to be in. I’m so glad I got this opportunity this year,” she said.
Bellefonte has been welcoming and she has felt included in everything, even though the school is very different from Bir Anzarane, she expresses how great it has been.
“Bellefonte has been nothing short of great so far. It’s definitely a big change from where I went. So far the people I’m meeting are kind and welcoming. I feel included in everything and I’m looking forward to the rest of my year here,” Hiba said.
Not only has Bellefonte been welcoming but so has the performing arts team.
“Everyone is so kind and their feedback is helpful,” she said.
Hiba isn’t the only one who feels this way towards the performing arts team.
“I love my castmates, I think this is a very fun group of people who I am excited to work with. I absolutely think the director did a great job selecting the best people for these roles,” castmate and president of the Drama Club, senior Erin Ashe said.
Erin is playing the role of Martha Arable, the mother of Fern Arable in Charlotte’s Web. Erin has been in multiple musicals beginning in fourth grade and has always portrayed younger characters, so her taking on a motherly and mature role is expanding her abilities as an actress. Her first play she acted in was last year´s Auntie Mame.
As president of the Drama Club she is very excited to see the new students evolve and gain confidence in their acting skills.
“Watching the new drama kids explore their acting abilities and try new things. Also being president and being able to create a fun environment with many activities is what I am most excited for,” Erin said.
Freshman Charlotte Coslo, being a new student to the drama club, reflects on the dynamics of the club members..
“I think that we get along pretty well. The whole theatre community is so sweet and welcoming it’s pretty easy to get along with us,” Charlotte said.
Congrats to Charlotte for getting such a big role as a first year student, and an honorable mention to Evan Edwards for the same. Charlotte is playing Fern Arable, also known as the “hero” of the story. Evan is playing Avery Arable, Fern Arable’s brother. Fern’s character is a kind-hearted young farm girl. Charlotte shares how she prepares for the play.
“I just try to have the same thoughts as Fern and usually the character comes to me. I don’t think any role is hard as long as you have the right actor and mind set,” Charlotte said.
Sophomore Allayna Whitehill is portraying Edith Zuckerman, Fern’s aunt, in Charlotte’s Web.
“To prepare for the play I’m working on memorizing my lines with my friends and my mom,” Allayna said.
As always the usual concern of forgetting lines is an issue, but all of the worry goes away with the excitement of the unknown. Since the play is about animals, they get to use puppets for the show. This is a new style most students have not used and are excited to explore.
“I’m so excited to see the puppets and the costumes. It’s going to be so interesting seeing everyone having to live through the puppets,” Charlotte said.
This play is going to be an amazing performance, by even more amazing people. See Charlotte’s Web performed by our very own Bellefonte performing arts students on November 15 and 16.
