SENIOR REFLECTIONS​

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Allen Ware (Jim Haller)

 

As I have been in the shows here at Hillsboro, I have felt a place where I can work hard and have fun. I have especially enjoyed hanging out with people that have a similar interest to me. Even though I haven’t done many shows, I still feel like I’ve been part of the community forever. I’m grateful to all the people that support the program in any form that takes. This has been one of my favorite experiences in high school and I won’t ever forget it. For this show specifically I have enjoyed it very much because I had never done a darker show before. I have loved playing Jim and experimenting with that type of role. I have loved working with all my cast-mates both in and out of rehearsal spaces. Thank you all for the incredible experience.

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Anna Bigelow (Student Director, Production Stage Manager)

 

It isn’t often that a place and the people surrounding it immediately feel like home, but Hillsboro Players has been just that for me.  Ever since I walked into the theatre as a little kid coming to see Hairspray, I knew that this was home. As a freshman, I was swept up in the magic of the theatre and immersed in a community led by individuals who care as much about telling stories as I do. It has been my greatest joy to get to come to the theatre every day and continue to foster an environment that encourages artists to tell stories. There is nowhere else I would rather be than telling a story with the people I love. Thank you to everyone who has continuously supported me to be the best version of myself and not settle for anything less. Thank you Mrs.Butler for being the greatest role model and inspiration I could ask for. It has been a privilege to get to be the mini you. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my theatre home here at Hillsboro. 

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Austin Kruljac (Set Construction Crew Chief, Spot Op)

 

Being a part of the Hillsboro Players has been such an amazing experience. I have only been a part of the Hillsboro Players for a short amount of time, and the only regret I have is not joining sooner.  My first show was Eurydice and during that time I had gained so many unforgettable memories and I have met some of the most amazing people and now going into All Shook Up I am looking forward to sharing more incredible experiences with this cast and crew. The Butlers, Cast and Crew have been such amazing people to work with and I have learned so much from the both of them.Being involved within the Hillsboro Players has allowed me to learn new things, meet new people, and overall build my experience within theater. Having the opportunity to even be a part of such a fun project was really an experience itself, then adding all of the amazing people I have met throughout just adds to that experience.I  am so grateful for everyone that I have met so far being so welcoming and helpful.  If you are thinking of joining the Hillsboro Players I highly recommend it, believe me when I say you will not regret it. Thank you to everyone within the cast, crew and overall team for welcoming me into this amazing environment and teaching me new things.

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Avery Roth (Costume Crew Co-Chief)

 

I joined the Players to do costumes for Catch Me if You Can in my freshman year, when tornadoes ripped through the city, half the crew was sick with the flu, and Covid was beginning to down schools. Yet still, we operated as a team and put on a show to be proud of, and I've stuck with theatre ever since. On the subject of costumes, Mrs. Eichman and Mrs. Klein are two of the most generous, talented people I know, and all of the beautiful costume glory should be given to those two women. Absolute powerhouses. Speaking of powerful women, Quinn Merryman amazed me in just her first show on costume crew, and now I'm proud to call her my co-chief and dear friend. This year, the whole costume and backstage crew has been killing it too, from organizing and painting shoes to running quick changes on the wings: trust, the well-oiled machine is functioning nicely. I'm so sad that we seniors are leaving this incredible community, but I know the Players' future is in great hands—so much love and gratitude to all those involved in these shows, past and present. You are what makes theatre a home.

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Dallas Whitehead (Miss Sandra)

 

It was 2018 and little Dallas Delaney sat in the balcony of the biggest auditorium she’d ever seen. She and her friends giggled at the show onstage, the Hillsboro Players’ production of Into the Woods. And once the two main characters kissed, she thought, “I have to be a Hillsboro Player.” Of course, the lights, the costumes, set, acting, singing, and everything else convinced her too. That was way back in the seventh grade and since then, I’ve been smitten with theater. I remember performing for the first time with the Players as Margo in Bright Star and thinking, “I am powerful.” I had accomplished one of my most important dreams on a very, very long list of dreams. I owe all of my success onstage to the Butlers, to Ms. Denise, to our music directors, and to the alumni and upperclassman who taught me. The next dream on my list is to attend college; I will be at Belmont University in the Fall of 2023. I would like to give one last thanks to the Hillsboro Players, for helping me discover my love of performance and granting me the ability to commit to my convictions (onstage and off).

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Dock Havey (Usher)

 

When I first saw Hillsboro's production of Twelfth Night in 9th Grade, I was blown away and knew I wanted to be a part of the Hillsboro Players. Then the Covid shutdown happened where me and my classmates did our theater activities via Zoom and I got inducted into the International Thespians Society virtually. Getting into ITS was one of the biggest honors of my life. Then, I felt right at home, when we went back in-person, eating Cracker Barrel and watching the recording of our 2021 school musical Bright Star. I had a wonderful experience playing “Braggart” and being in the ensemble of Wizard of Oz in Junior Year. It was inspiring seeing my friend Darilyn jump into the lead role of Dorothy at such a young age. I’ve learned a lot about working behind the scenes too by doing set builds. In my collaborative project, I learned about the power of working together in storytelling and performing. The Senior Director’s Notebook made me flex my writing muscles more. Big thanks to Mrs. Butler and Mr. Butler for teaching me so much about the art of theater. They had to teach theater and be parents to a newborn at the same time. Without them, I may not have had the courage (Wizard of Oz pun) to audition! I cannot wait to carry with me what I learned here to college and beyond! What a great launching pad the HHS Players has been to me and other thespians!

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Farrah Northern (Sylvia)

 

I have had the best time the last four years being a part of the Hillsboro Players. With shared tears, joy, and celebrations, I have grown so much through the help of not only the Butlers but my fellow thespians. I learned from Darilyn Finch, who taught me to forgive and handle things with grace. I learned from Anna Bigelow and Amanda Shelton, who taught me that it’s okay to not be okay. I learned from Kate Jones and Veronica Talbert  to enjoy the small moments in life. But most importantly, I learned from the one and only Mrs. Butler, who taught me to take on the good and the bad with a steady mind and strong feet, to laugh and dance when you’re stressed, and to allow myself to receive the love that I so graciously give to others. I am forever indebted to everyone who has helped me flourish throughout the years and teach me things I’ve never known before

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Josef Mendez (House Manager, Scenic Artist)

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I never knew what passion I wanted to pursue until I met the Butlers. Seeing so much love for everything they do has been so inspiring and has pushed me to be as great as I can be. I’ve loved getting to work with them my entire high school career, and I wouldn’t have changed any second of it. I hope everyone who is a freshman or a sophomore takes a breath and realizes that theatre is a home, community, and most importantly a family. I haven’t been lost since I’ve joined the Hillsboro Players and I’m so glad that I’ve been put on my own path to hopefully pursue theatre when I’m older. 

 

Kate Jones (Mayor Matilda Hyde)
 

Creating theater throughout my high school career has greatly blessed my life. As a freshman, the community I found in the Hillsboro Players was one of comradery, dedication, and love that has helped me to grow in ways I hadn’t even considered. I am forever grateful for this program and how it taught me the beauty of complex humans telling complex stories. I like to thank Mrs. Butler for her mentorship on and off stage. Not only did she indulge my Greek Theater obsession, but her visionary skills are something that I will always be in awe of. I would also like to thank my fellow castmates from these shows because they are what made it mean so much. Finally, I would like to thank my family for being an endless support system and for continuing to make my world bigger. Thank you Players, you mean the world to me. 

 

Kendall Murray (Student Technical Director)

 

I joined theatre my freshman year for Twelfth Night and from the moment I walked into my first set build I was hooked. I have participated in almost every show since, falling more in love with theatre as time went by. This program has helped me find and develop my passion for technical theatre and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities and mentorship I have been given. With the help of our lighting designer Richard, as well as the Butlers, I have been able to keep pushing myself to learn and grow every show and have had wonderful mentors as a guide to do so. I have developed a sense of community and belonging I wasn’t sure I would find in high school and the memories I’ve made during the long late night hours of tech week or during the countless set builds are ones that I will treasure for years to come. Thank you for letting me be a part of this experience and community that has meant the world to me. Forever thankful to be a Hillsboro Player.

 

Leo Sanchez (Ensemble, Sheriff Earl U/S)

 

I have grown so much from my experience in theatre. I only ushered for the freshman play and musical and I still found it super fun. When covid hit, I didn't do theatre my sophomore year. However, I returned raring to go for Junior year, and I've loved every minute of the process since. Each show has been unique and challenging in their own ways, which I absolutely love. I am so grayeful for having the best directors, vocal coach, and dance instructor I could ask for. I couldn't be where I am without Mr. and Mrs. Butler, Ms. Denise, and Ms. G, and I deeply cherish the time that I've spent during rehearsals, tech week, performances, cast outings, etc. I've gained a great perspective on what it means to be a part of something greater and I've learned to trust the process. I am so glad to have been a Hillsboro Player. 

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Lily Phillips (Natalie Haller)

 

Ever since seeing their production of Into the Woods in 7th grade, I knew I wanted to be a part of the Hillsboro Players. Through the past four years it has been such an honor to work with this company. Whether it be sewing up the butt on a pair of ripped costume pants, or trying to perfect choreography with my friends during our lunch break, I have made so many memories through it all. As a senior, this community of compassionate and talented people will be a difficult one to let go, but I am so excited for new faces to find their place within it. It has been such a joy to create art with everyone, pushing our limits each day. I am so grateful for Mrs. Butler for teaching me the importance of storytelling, and for giving me the opportunity to help tell these stories. I hope these stories can help inspire a new generation of artists, as it has for me.
 

Veronica Talbert (Ensemble, Mayor Matilda Hyde U/S)

 

Of life's most challenging moments, the hardest is the moment you make the choice to be yourself. From this moment you must then live for the goal of discovering yourself. Along my journey of exploring who I am, the most pivotal moment was when I found my passion for theatre. Looking back upon my experiences in the Hillsboro Players, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I was given to express myself in a safe environment and how these have allowed me to grow into myself. With such experiences, I have found a community to relate to that also embraces all parts of me. Surrounding myself with equally passionate people created a space for me to always feel seen. Through theatre I have discovered my passion and learned countless skills that I will carry throughout life. Above all else I was taught the value in fighting for my own excellence. 

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