By Chloe ’30
Hi! I’m Chloe, and I’m a ninth grader at Harvard-Westlake. One of my favorite things about HW is getting to explore the things I love while discovering new interests. For me, the performing arts have been a big part of that experience. I love singing, acting, and dancing, and this fall, I get to bring all three together on stage in our school musical, Cinderella, where I’m playing the Stepmother!
Getting cast was exciting, especially because the Stepmother is so different from me. Playing her challenges me to think about how someone else speaks, moves, and reacts. I’m learning how much goes into bringing a character to life, from the way I deliver a line to how I respond when another character is speaking. Trying different approaches can feel unfamiliar at first, but that’s part of the fun.
One thing I appreciate about the performing arts at HW is the chance to challenge myself with teachers and classmates helping me along the way. Ms. Irvine, our musical director, helps us notice the details that make a scene work and encourages us to keep improving. Her support makes it easier to try new things and learn from mistakes. Rehearsals are also where I get to know people better. Learning scenes, practicing choreography, and working through tricky moments together give us a shared goal. It’s exciting when something we’ve been practicing finally clicks. Those moments make me proud of what we’re creating together and excited to share it on stage with an audience.
Being in a musical has helped me appreciate everything happening behind the scenes, too. The director, musicians, and crew members all help bring the story to life. Seeing everyone contribute reminds me how much we depend on one another and why coming prepared matters.
My experience in the performing arts extends beyond the musical. I also take Contemporary Dance Workshop II and serve as president of Vocal Ensemble, one of HW’s choirs. In dance, I work on movement and expression. In choir, I practice listening and blending my voice with others. I enjoy bringing those skills into musical rehearsals. As Vocal Ensemble president, I’m grateful for the chance to learn from Mr. Keilbach, our choir director, and practice being a leader. He encourages us to grow as singers and creates a welcoming space where we feel supported and excited to sing together. Having the opportunity to contribute to a group I care about has made my experience at HW even more special.
For prospective students, my advice is to explore! Ask about a performing arts class, audition for a show, take a dance class or join a choir. You don’t have to have everything figured out before trying something new. There are so many ways to get involved at HW, and you may just find something you love. I’m still learning, and having chances to rehearse, perform, and be on the stage is one of my favorite parts of being at HW.
I hope you’ll come see Cinderella at Harvard-Westlake’s Saperstein Theatre on November 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. or November 15 at 1 p.m. Complimentary tickets are available for prospective students and their families. We’ve been working hard, and I can’t wait to take the stage with our cast and share the show with you!
