We had an incredible opening night and as we rev up for the rest of the weekend, we want you to meet the remaining outstanding members of our team!!!!!
Aurea LaFlamme, who plays The Beadle in Sweeney Todd, is a senior this year! Aurea has been performing for 11 years with FHS Players, Footlight and FACT. Her first show was Mulan Jr. in 2010. She has been a part of countless productions from performing, stage managing, lights, sound and running crew. Aurea loves many things about theater, from gaining an unconditionally loving family, creating fun and amazing shows, spending time with many different people and all the amazing memories that come with it. Aurea feels that the experience of performing with our theater programs is like no other and is one of the best things she has ever experienced. Her favorite memories, the things she’s most proud of and the people she loves the most are all a part of the theater department. Aurea has learned countless things about herself, but most importantly how she is a voice and how that voice is essential. She has learned leadership, commitment, time-management, adaptability and the ability to work under pressure. To her, theater isn’t just one single thing or another, but a collection of many things. It is her second home and a place for everybody and anybody. After high school, Aurea plans to travel to Greece this summer and then attend PSU in the fall to study Forensic Anthropology.
Kaia Roper is an 8th grader in our Company who has been performing on stage since she was five when she did Shrek the Musical. Kaia says that theater is fun because you work with other people and get to act like someone else. She also enjoys being creative and through theater, has learned that if you mess something up, you just need to roll with it! Kaia has taken ballet, gymnastics and is a cheerleader. Her favorite theater memory thus far is playing an orphan in Annie Jr. Kaia says that the cast and crew have worked very hard on this show and it looks great, so everyone should come!!
Kaleb Platanitis is a senior playing Judge Trupin. Kaleb began performing in 2017 in a small one act called A Voice in the Dark. Kaleb feels that theater allows him to express himself around others that share the same passion. It allows him to let the creativity take over and lets him forget about the world and live in a new one for a change. Kaleb says theater has made him a more accepting person and it really helps with friendships and relationships and allows him to have a successful and happy life. It has taught him drive, dedication and hard work. Theater is Kaleb’s pride and joy, his passion and his life and he wouldn’t be where he is without it. He has managed to use theater to persevere during some tough times and it has taught him what his true calling is and what he wants to do with his life. Kaleb never thought he would be into musical theater but through his fellow cast mates and friends, he was encouraged and found out he wasn’t terrible at singing and found that he felt better about himself and was better than he thought he would be. His favorite memory is the fun he gets to have with castmates. More importantly, he loves the fun vocal warm ups the guys do in the dressing room prior to the show. Kaleb thanks Christine Chiasson, but also Mrs. Finley. She taught him everything he knows about theater. Kaleb plans to take a mechanics class after high school and apprentice as a mechanic, but also pursue acting on the side whether it’s theater, TV or film- he loves it all!
Sapphira Star Carrier is a senior and she is playing Tobias. Sapphira has been performing for 10 years since she participated in FACT summer theater camp in an original production called I Believe In Me. Sapphira loves that she can pretend to live many different lives inside of her own life and is able to make new friends each time she does a show. In theater, Sapphira learned that no matter how hard she may be on herself, there’s always people behind her who have her back and support her. Theater is her escape. She can be someone different and see life through the eyes of others around her. She also has learned that no matter how good or bad you may think you’re doing, as long as you’re having fun, that’s all that matters. Sapphira danced for 6 years at Creative Steps with teachers Mrs. Finley, Sue Harrington, Jenness Nordstrom, Cam Moquin and Addison Granger. Sapphira will be attending Depaul University in Chicago in the fall. She hopes to act professionally some day.
Andrew is a junior and is learning lighting for the first time. Usually, and for the last 3 years, Andrew has been performing on stage since participating in his first NHETG One Act, A Rare Condition, which will always be one of his favorites. Andrew feels that theater is a large scale project with a whole fun group of people. He feels that theater has helped him get much better at working and connecting with others. It’s a community system that supports each other. Andrew plans to attend college after high school and hopefully still participate in theater. He feels everyone should come and see Sweeney Todd because it’s an awesome show and we’re one of the groups who remained committed to live theater during a pandemic no matter what we had to do to make it happen!
Laryssa Humphrey is a sophomore who has been performing since she was 3 years old when she performed in The Wizard of Oz. Laryssa takes vocal lessons with Christine Chiasson and has taken dance. Sweeney Todd will be her 47th show! Laryssa feels that in theater, teamwork is one of the most important aspects. You learn to work together. Laryssa loves being a part of an entire show coming together and seeing everyone’s hard work pay off. Theater has helped Laryssa be much more confident and sure of herself. If she didn’t have theater in her life, she’s not sure what she would do. It’s the most important thing to her. One of her favorite memories was playing Number Two in The Wolves. It was so challenging but the show was very special to her. Laryssa says that every musical teaches you a lesson and although Sweeney Todd’s message might be a little creepy, it’s pretty cool!
