Natalee Colwell, daughter of Brad and Dawn Colwell., will perform the role of Rhoda in the NCHS Musical production of White Christmas on December 16-19th.
What musicals have you been in at NCHS and what characters/roles did you play?
“I have been casted in Music Man as a River City kid, Mary Poppins as a towns person, Cinderella as a towns folk, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat both years as Gad’s wife and dancer.”
What was your favorite musical and why?
Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat was my favorite musical. I loved all of the dancing and how throughout the show every song was a different genre of music.
What scene in White Christmas is your favorite and why?
My favorite scene of White Christmas is the big dance break in the song “Blue Skies”. It has a jazzy tap dance feel that puts a smile on my face.
What are three things being in the musical have taught you? and how have you learned these?
Musicals have taught me how to have stage presence, confidence, and being there for others. Having stage presence and confidence is key to having a successful performance. I participated in the 2021 fair queen pageant and my confidence during it came from everything I’ve learned from being in musicals. Being there for others is important because there will be moments where another cast member will miss their cue or screw up a line. The best thing you can do is cheer them up because everyone makes mistakes and it is nothing to beat yourself up about. That is why there is such a strong bond between everyone in the musical this year and in years past.
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 give to an upcoming theater student would be to come to auditions well prepared. Give it your all and be confident in yourself. Another piece of advice is to handle time management well. Musical takes up a lot of time during the weekdays and weekends, so make sure to spare some time for the things that matter the most to you.
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?
In the musical program it takes 3 directors, 1 piano player, 4 customers, 2 set construction men, volunteer help, and lastly 30 cast members and all of these people have taught me that anything is possible with determination.
What will you miss the most once the final curtain closes on your NCHS musical career?
The most important thing I will miss about being musical is the family-like bond you grow with all of the people involved in the productions. You spend continuous time together for 4 months and it’s so easy to grow strong bonds with the cast. I will also miss performing. The feeling I get from being on stage in front of a crowd is the reason why I keep doing these musicals. It’s easy to say that I will miss performing in the NCHS musical productions.
