Each Monday between now and the opening of Sister Act! we will highlight one of the seniors who will be taking the stage on March 26th through the 29th (7pm, 7pm, 7pm, and 2pm). This week we will be highlighting Cameron Newkirk, the son of Jesse Newkirk and Jamie Newkirk who will be portraying Monsignor O’Hara.
What musicals have you been in at NCHS and what characters/roles did you play?
My first year I played the role of Cord Elam in Oklahoma, last year, I played Teddy Roosevelt in Newsies, and this year, I am playing Monsignor O’Hara in Sister Act.
What was your favorite musical and why?
My favorite musical was when we did Oklahoma. It was my first exposure to theatre, so it had a different feeling than the following year. Also, because I really wanted a small part last year, I was very uninvolved with the show aside from the few scenes I was in. In Oklahoma, between the fight scenes and the dances, I had a lot more fun than in Newsies.
What scene in Sister Act is your favorite and why? (This does not have to be a scene you are in)
My favorite scene would probably be Sunday Morning Fever. It is one of the scenes I am in, as well as one of my favorite songs in the show. I have a very passive role in the show, so one of my favorite parts is being able to watch my fellow cast members do what they love.
What are three things being in the musical has taught you, and how have you learned these?
Being in musical has taught me that it’s okay to go out in front of a crowd and feel comfortable. Before Oklahoma, I hated being in front of a crowd. I never thought I would be able to get up there and talk in front of an entire auditorium, but now I know I can, and I will use the ability to speak in front of people in my future career. I think that the culture in musical is what makes it possible. Whether you know nobody else in the show or you know everyone, if you make a mistake in practice, there will always be someone to make sure that mistake doesn’t happen again. Another important skill you develop in musical is discipline. You cannot get far in theatre without discipline. You need to take time out of your personal life to memorize your lines, so having the discipline to do that is very important, and it seeps into other aspects of your life. Finally, I learned that it doesn’t hurt to try something new. If you had told me my freshman year that I would audition for one of the male leads in the musical (though I didn’t get it), I would have laughed in your face.
What are two pieces of advice you would give young people who want to start performing in musicals at NCHS?
For one, I would say to just try it. You really have no idea how enjoyable it is until you get into it, but you just need to take that first step. Also, don’t think that just because you’re a freshman or sophomore, you won’t get the part you want. While the leads usually go to the more experienced people, you will lose nothing by trying for it. As Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. Even if you don’t get the part, you show the people in charge of casting that you have the drive and want to try something that you may not be entirely prepared for yet. Everything is an audition, especially actual auditions.
What qualities do you see exemplified in the adults who help put on this show that you will take with you as you leave NCHS and how do they demonstrate these qualities?
I think that the biggest quality that you see in these adults is generosity. Helping in musical is entirely volunteer work. These adults are parents and have a home life, but take time out of their personal lives to ensure that our production goes smoothly. From the set designers to the costume ladies, there is so much that goes on behind the scenes that the average audience member would never think about, and I think that’s another reason we should be so grateful for them. We in the cast do put in a lot of time and effort, but when we step out for bows and hear the applause from the audience, it makes it all worth it. All the behind-the-scenes people get is their name on the program. That shows that they do all of this for us, and we need to be extremely thankful.
What about Sister Act is different from other musicals you have been in?
Sister Act is significantly less serious than the other musicals. Oklahoma and Newsies had some more serious moments or undertones, but Sister Act is just fun for the most part.
What will you miss the most once the final curtain closes on your NCHS musical career?
Once that curtain closes, I will miss sitting backstage with people you have created a special bond with. Having an excuse to be around people that you normally wouldn’t be around supercedes all the stress that being in theatre can bring.
