Seussical Leads Q&A

Photos by Allison Stockwell

Haley Lynch

Senior

Part: Sour Kangaroo

Q: What are you most excited about?

A: This is the third time I’ve played this part, so I’m really excited to see how I can make the character different this time around. I’m also really excited to see what kind of bond this cast forms. They’re always very different, but I have a really good feeling about this one.

Q: What is your favorite role you have ever played?

A: My favorite role I’ve ever played was Rusty in Footloose. I did that show over the summer, and it was such a fun character.

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

A: My most embarrassing moment was when I was in seventh grade, and I was playing the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz. I was doing a scene and dropped the prop I was holding and cussed when I dropped it. I had a microphone, too, so there was a chance that everyone in the audience heard it. Luckily everyone thought I said “shoot,” but one person heard me and will never let me forget about it.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration in theater?

A: I wouldn’t really say I have a single inspiration. I’ve always just been inspired by the older kids who I did shows with because it was always cool to be friends with people who were so talented. Even now that I’m a senior, and we’re the oldest one’s in the show, I still consider those people role models.

Q: How is this role different than other roles you’ve had?

A: This role is different because it’s not very often that you get to play an animal. My character is also kind of the leader of all the jungle animals who don’t believe Horton’s story, so it’s fun to be the main antagonist of the show.

Savanna Worthington

Junior

Part: Mayzie

Q: What are you most excited about?

A: I’m most excited about sharing the stage with some of my favorite people.

Q: What is your favorite role you have ever played?

A: My favorite role was Sandy in Grease because I loved how iconic the role was, and I got to do a lot of fun singing and dancing.

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

A: Most embarrassing thing that’s happened to me is probably last summer when I was in Cabaret at Theatre in the Park and I had to dance around in a gorilla suit (which is embarrassing as it is). One night my skirt fell off in front of everyone, and I had to hold it up for the rest of the number.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration in theater?

A: My biggest role model is a Broadway star named Laura Osnes because she had been both Cinderella and Sandy on Broadway as well as many other roles I’d love to play, and she is incredible. I hope to be like her someday.

Q: How is this role different than other roles you’ve had?

A: This part is different from any other part I’ve had because Mayzie is almost an antagonist in the show, something I’ve never gotten to do. She is rambunctious, egotistical and extremely flashy, which will be something I’ve never done before.

Megan Walstrom

Sophomore

Part: Jojo

Q: What are you most excited about?

A: I’m really looking forward to performing in front of my peers and meeting new people, because this is my first show at East. I’m amazed at how many talented kids there are, and I’m excited to get to work with them. I can’t wait to see how the whole show comes together.

Q: What is your favorite role you have ever played?

A: My favorite role has been Louisa Von Trapp in The Sound of Music at Starlight because I got the chance to work with many broadway actors.

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

A: My most embarrassing moment was when I fell flat on my butt while dancing in the seventh grade musical at Indian Hills.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration in theater?

A: My biggest inspiration would have to be Sutton Foster. I really admire her because she is a triple threat. She’s an amazing singer, dancer and actress and has been very successful on Broadway.

Q: How is this role different than other roles you’ve had?

A:I have actually played Jojo before at Stageright four years ago. It’s one of my favorite roles, and I can’t wait to perform it again.

Kylie Ledford

Senior

Part: Gertrude McFuzz

What are you most excited about?

A: For Seussical I’m really excited to get to explore such a fun and dorky yet powerful character.

Q: What is your favorite role you have ever played?

A: My favorite role I’ve played so far was probably Ariel in Footloose because I got to really explore all aspects of the character, and she was such an empowered woman to embody.

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

A: The most embarrassing onstage moment I had was when, during a show, my mic went completely out on a big solo I had, and nobody heard it. It was really, really awkward and terrible.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration in theater?

A: Inspiration-wise, I really can’t choose. There are so many women in theatre I admire. Sutton Foster, Lindsay Mendez… it’s hard to choose.

Q: How is this role different than other roles you’ve had?

A: This role is very different from ones I’ve had. Typically, I get typecast as the sassy characters, and Gertrude is shy, sad and just about the dorkiest musical character you’ll meet. So basically the exact opposite of what I usually play, and I’m so excited to explore that kind of character because I relate to Gertrude so much.

Jackson Bush

Junior  

Part: Horton the elephant

Q: What are you most excited about?

A: I’m most excited to play this amazingly awkward character Horton. I’m normally typecast as the smooth romantic guy, which is weird, because I definitely relate more to the awkward Elephant.  I’ve never played a character in a musical with this much depth, so I’m super excited to start developing that character and really start having fun with the show.

Q: What is your favorite role you have ever played?

A: My favorite role I’ve ever played was without a doubt Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast because I got to wear this extremely complex costume and act crazy and be a candle of all things. It was an absolute blast.                        

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

A: My most embarrassing moment was without a doubt during “Cinderella” last year. Our student director was taking role as per usual, and she called out my name. I made some weird noise thinking I was cool or something, but she didn’t hear me. However, everyone else did so she called my name again and I awkwardly stumbled over my own name. The whole cast then laughed at my awkwardness while the directors chuckled and shook their heads to themselves.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration in theater?

A: My biggest inspiration in theatre is Brian Cappello. He’s taught me so much throughout the past two and a half years. He’s taught me things about theatre, responsibility and just life in general. I’m proud to call him my mentor and director.

Q: How is this role different than other roles you’ve had?

A: The role is different for a few reasons. I’ve never had to play an animal. I’ve certainly never had to be as awkward as this character, and I’ve never had a role with so much stuff to memorize. Did I also mention he’s an elephant? A large elephant? Both of which I am not? It will be interesting pulling this off. I’m so excited.

Grace Chisholm

Junior

Part: Cat in the Hat

Q: What are you most excited about?

A: I am excited to be in such a whimsical and fun show with such high energy. The cast is fantastic and this show has the potential to be incredible, so I can’t wait to see what we’re able to accomplish.

Q: What is your favorite role you have ever played?

A: It’s incredibly hard to pick, so I’d have to narrow it down to my top three. I was Gertrude in Seussical, the same musical, in middle school, and I loved that. I was Rizzo in Grease in middle school as well, and I loved playing such a strong female part. Last year at East I was Portia, a stepsister in Cinderella, and that was definitely one of the best roles I’ve ever played. Having the opportunity to be ridiculous and comedic was something I hadn’t done before then.

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

A: I had a voice crack during a solo on the night of Grease that was being recorded for the DVD that people in the cast could purchase. The atrocity that came out of my mouth can be replayed over and over. That was terrible.

Q: Who is your biggest inspiration in theater?

A: I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily informed about theater, so I don’t have a large knowledge base on which I could form an opinion. But I think right now I’m very inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda – he wrote Hamilton – because his combination of musical and lyrical talent is unbelievable. Amazing performers like Sutton Foster and Julie Andrews are always an inspiration as well.

Q: How is this role different than other roles you’ve had?

A: I have never been a narrator in a show. I think this role is different because it’s so multi-faceted. The Cat in the Hat is mischievous and sly, yet caring and energetic. I think exploring all of those different sides will be new and exciting.