In Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, LaRae will portray a Narrator. LaRae is the daughter of Clinton and Jolyn Bigard
What musicals have you been in at NCHS and what characters/roles did you play?
“I started in the Sound of Music when I was 7 and played Gretel. Then The Music Man as a River City Kid. Mary Poppins as a kid. Thoroughly Modern Millie as a stenographer and Daphne. Cinderella as a dancer and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as a Narrator”
What was your favorite musical and why?
“My favorite musical was the Sound of Music. The director that year made it so much fun for everyone, especially the kids. Many of us that were in it as kids have many fond memories of playing games together in between scenes or sitting on the stage eating pizza during Saturday practices. It was by far the most memorable and enjoyable musical in my opinion.”
What scene in Joseph is your favorite and why? (This does not have to be a scene you are in)
“My favorite scene in Joseph was Close Every Door/Go Go Go Joseph. Ben, “Joseph”, always did a fantastic job with not only singing ‘Close Every Door’, but truly played the part accurately as well. The children also did a great job of setting the mood for the scene and contributed to it a lot. ‘Go Go Go Joseph’ was also one of my favorites because the narrators sing to Joseph about not being down on himself because better things are to come for him. It foreshadows the rest of the musical and I really enjoyed being in that scene.”
What are three things being in the musical have taught you? and how have you learned these?
“Three things that musical has taught me are practice makes perfect, always strive to be the best that you can be, and that you learn from mistakes. Practicing lines, lyrics, and dance routines over and over really does help with memorizing and it becoming second nature. With practicing over and over, you learn that you can always strive to do better and become the best that you can be, which I think is what sets NCHS musicals apart from other surrounding schools. We truly strive to do better each time that we practice and encourage others to do their best. Learning from mistakes is something that I have really taken with me from musical. If you make a mistake, admit to it and try to do better next time. All three of these things can be useful pieces of advice and are applicable to all aspects of life.”
What are two pieces of advice you would give young people who want to start performing in musicals at NCHS?
“Two pieces of advice that I would give to young people who would like to be in NCHS musicals are don’t be afraid to try and always have a positive attitude. Always try for the bigger, more ambitious role because this will show the directors that you want to be an involved and dedicated part of the musical. Even more important, try to be positive and uplifting to others even if you don’t want to be. Having a positive attitude affects everyone around you and they will feed on what energy you give off, so make sure it is a positive one!”
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?
“One of the qualities I see exemplified is dedication. Kristie was always willing to go through dance routines multiple times to assure that dances were the best that they could be. Also, Dawn Colwell, our accompanist, has spent countless hours through the years playing piano and giving useful advice to all of us. I think that she deserves recognition for everything that she does and has done for the musical program that so often gets overlooked. The costumers also play a huge role in the smooth running of our shows. They work constantly behind the scenes to make sure that our costumes fit just right and never stop until they are perfect. Our shows would not be what they are without the outstanding costumes they create. They are examples of a good work ethic and a positive attitude. Any time they are asked to make last minute changes to a costume, they happily say that they can do it and they all work together to make sure things get done. Additionally, I think Jeremy Wilson, who does all of our sound/mics, exemplifies the above qualities also. He worked so hard this year to make sure that our mics were comfortable and made us sound the best that we could. He is very dedicated and also put in countless hours to help our program because he thoroughly enjoys working with the kids.”
What will you miss the most once the final curtain closes on your NCHS musical career?
“The thing I will miss most about musicals is making memories and doing something I love so much. I have done musicals since I was 7 years old and it is a program that I have truly enjoyed being involved in. I will miss making memories with cast members and becoming close friends with people who I might not have been friends with if it hadn’t have been for musical. Having practice 4 days a week has brought many of us close and created bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given through musical and will cherish the many great memories that I have!”
