The October Artist of the Month is freshman Zelma Haight for her lead role in Montoursville’s Fall Play, Steel Magnolias. (The show dates for the play were October 25-26th, 2025.)
Q: How excited are you that you scored a lead role in your freshman-year play?
A: “I am so excited and [it] still feels like it is a dream!”
Q: What has your favorite memory been so far from the play?
A: “Being with all the fun people in the play and encouraging each other knowing that we are all trying our best to make sure the show is amazing.”
Q: What is your favorite scene to perform?
A: “My favorite scene to perform is any scene that Ouiser [played by senior Grace Barkauskas] is in because she adds so much of an exciting flair to the play.”
Q: Are you planning on continuing with theater throughout high school?
A: “I definitely plan on continuing throughout high school. I might after high school, but that mainly depends on where I go to college.”
Q: Why should people come to see the show?
A: “People should come see the show to support everyone that helped to make it possible. It was being done in such a short time frame that the people involved had to put in so much extra work. It is a truly wonderful play that has so much character that it will draw you into falling in love with it just like me.”
Q: What role are you playing, and what was your audition process like?
A: “I am playing Annelle. I actually auditioned for the character named Shelby, but obviously did not get it. Before my audition I was freaking out and trying to relieve my nerves by spinning around in circles and jumping up and down. When I went in for my audition there was such a comforting atmosphere that I felt less stressed out than I thought I would be. As soon as I was done saying my monologue and was out of the audition room I was not hopeful at all. I thought I did really badly and when my dad picked me up after the audition I actually cried. When the cast list came out I was so sure that I did not get a role that I did not even want to check. A couple seconds after it came out I got a text from a very good friend of mine saying that I got a role. I did not believe her at all, but I got my Chromebook out and checked for myself to see if I got a role. When I saw that I did, I was so overjoyed that I didn’t believe it or know how to feel. It was definitely one of the happiest moments I have ever had.”
Q: Has having a lead role been intimidating, or has it been mostly exciting?
A: “It is very exciting, but mostly very nerve wracking. I feel honored being the only freshman in it, but also intimidated by the fact that everyone else is older than me and so talented.”
Featured photo (at top): Freshman Zelma Haight (Annelle Dupuy Desoto) shampoos senior Alice Ravert’s (M’Lynn Eatenton) hair during the first scene. Haight was one of two cast members who wore her natural hair during the show. Photo by John Ravert
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