The October Artist of the Month is Freshman Estella Smelko for her lead role in Montoursville’s Fall Play, “Charlotte’s Web.” (The show dates for the play were October 26-27.)
Q: How excited are you that you scored a lead role in your freshman-year play?
A: “Honestly I was kind of shocked at first. I thought I was dreaming, but after reality hit I was extremely proud of myself for reaching one of my goals I thought I wouldn’t reach ‘til junior or senior year.”
Q: What has your favorite memory been so far from the play?
A: “My favorite memory so far was when we read through the script for the first time and Charlotte first spoke to Wilbur, and Charlotte was talking about watching him, and I think it was Hunter who shouted, ‘Don’t scare away the only freshman Naomi!’”
Q: What is your favorite scene to perform?
A: “My favorite scene is when Wilbur gets out of his pen and Lurvy, Homer, and Edith are chasing him around the auditorium.”
Q: Are you planning on continuing with theater throughout high school?
A: “Absolutely. I will not survive high school without doing theater.”
Q: Why should people come to see the show?
A: “I read the book “Charlotte’s Web” when I was in second grade and being in the play made the second-grader in me feel like I was actually in the book, and I hope the people who come to watch it make their inner child feel the same way.”
Q: What role are you playing, and what was your audition process like?
A: “I’m playing Wilbur. At auditions, I was nervous because I didn’t really know anyone and when I realized I was the only freshman auditioning it made me a little more nervous. When I was in the audition I acted out the scene with [Sophomore] Paige [Rosenbaum] and felt very confident in my audition.”
Q: Are you hoping to be nominated for a Ray of Light Award for your performance?
A: “Yes; it would be such an honor to be nominated as a freshman.”
Q: Has having a lead role been intimidating, or has it been mostly exciting?
A: “Honestly, it’s been a mix of both. Part of me is excited that I’m a lead and the other part is intimidated by having to memorize all of my lines.”
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