It came out at 12:30 p.m. exactly. The document that would decide Savannah’s role for the coming months had finally arrived. After anxiously waiting for this moment during her two months of preparation, she is now holding her phone to her ear, feeling electrified as she tells her mom the good news. McClure listens as her mother tells her how proud she is, pure pride and joy filling her heart. After being praised by her mom, she gives her dad a call. His voice shakes as he lets her know how proud he is of her achievements.
Senior Savannah McClure experienced this when she discovered that she had won the lead role of Ella in this year’s fall musical, “Cinderella.” Despite the fact that this is only the second NHS musical McClure has under her belt, it’s her second time starring as the lead in an NHS production. And she says it’s a role she has always wanted.
“I auditioned for Cinderella because it was always my dream to be a princess on stage before I graduated.” McClure said. “Without [my mom], I probably wouldn’t have gone to my audition. I auditioned to make little Savannah proud and to make my mom proud.”
The support McClure receives doesn’t only come from her family. It also comes from her co-stars. Senior Colin McCabe, who plays Ella’s love interest, Topher, also sees McClure’s goals.
“My favorite thing is that [she’s] very committed,” McCabe said. “[She does] anything to get what they need done. It’s motivating. It’s nice to work with somebody who cares,” McCabe said.
The other actors sharing the stage with McClure say that they also enjoy working with her and, like McCabe, believe she inspires those around her. Senior Tyler Cowan is playing a rich man Sebastion, and although his character hates Ella because of her status, Cowan’s feelings towards McClure are opposite.
“She is really inspiring because she is such a hard worker and she always gets her stuff done,” Cowan said. “I think she’s the only person that has her stuff memorized right now.”
Although McClure hasn’t been in very many shows at NHS, her hard work is shown through the progress she has made according to show director, John Neubauer. He acknowledges the dedication and time needed to help this production become a success.
“[McClure] is a great singer and a trained dancer. She has also grown as an actor through NHS and other productions,” Neubauer said. “She’ll be great.”
According to McClure, the work she has put into her role outside of the musical is what helped her grow. She has taken the time to explore her character and what it truly means to be Ella, and has been inspired by the character in the process.
“I’ve enjoyed all of the character work I’ve done outside of rehearsal, because even though I’ve found out a lot about Ella through the blocking and scene work, finding out everything else through my own time has been so much fun,” McClure said.
Senior Sean Wood, the productions student musical director, believes that the work McClure has put into the show, and her ideas, reveals her understanding of how valuable Ella is as a character.
“She has such a gorgeous voice that converts the emotions and values of Ella. She has had so many great ideas for the show that it is bringing many different great sides of her to the table,” Wood said
As McClure continues to practice to get ready for this year’s musical, she says that she is eager to play her role to the greatest understanding. She admires her character Ella for her good-hearted personality and is ready to learn more about the princess.
“Her determination and drive is very admirable,” McClure said. “I’m so excited to find out more about her and who she is.”
