Logan Wharton on His Freshman Year in HTAC
As my freshman year comes to a close, I just can’t help but to look back on what a fantastic year that HTAC has had. We’ve had four fantastic shows, filled with so many talented actors and actresses. Sure, each of those shows had their own issues, but DAMN the productions were phenomenal. The best part of all of it was being able to be here in HTAC with each and every one of you.
Sarah Janus: A Few Words on My Time in HTAC
This evening marked my final HTAC meeting, and I can honestly say, I couldn’t be more excited about the direction the company is going. With a great new coordinator board, two EXCELLENT shows in pre-production, and a pumped membership, next year is going to be a big year for HTAC, no doubt.
If you are reading this and considering joining HTAC, all I can say is DO IT. And if you are a current member, never leave! This company has absolutely made my college career and given me more friends, memories and opportunities then I could have ever hoped for.
Throughout my time in HTAC, I have been a general member, a performer, a coordinator, a choreographer for several shows, a costumer, I’ve managed productions, I’ve been voted Miss. HTAC, I’ve proposed a show and lost, proposed a show and won, and finally concluded my time in HTAC as a director. It has been quite a ride. But I think what is most rewarding are the friends I have made along the way.
There is something magical that happens with this group. You make a friend once in some production and that bond will never die, it will never go away. Because nothing beats the feeling you get standing in a circle before performing and looking every member of that cast in the eye. You know that you have never felt anything like that energy before and nothing will ever quite match it or replicate it. It’s unique. Its once in a life time. And no one outside of that circle will ever understand. Even though I’ve worked with 8 different casts while in this company, there has never been a time I didn’t feel totally connected. Each cast had a different feeling a different vibe. But all beautiful, all breath taking and all worth every sleepless night.
There will be times that this company hits you, hard. And it may be because you didn’t get the part you wanted, or your show didn’t pass, or because some drama (because all theatre people are dramatic). And those times will make you question your presence in the company. Fight those times. With everything you have, because its worth it. I’ve been in all those places, and worse… but with out HTAC, I would be 1,000 memories lighter, less millions of smiles and without priceless friends.
This company has meant everything to me for four years and has given me so much that I am ready to take on the future. Ready to leave this company in such beautiful, gifted, and wonderful hands. I could not be more proud of HTAC, or more grateful for everything it has done for me. I can’t wait to see where it will go next.
Mary Ryan on Her First Year of HTAC
Neil Redfield on Leading a Suzuki Training Workshop
HTAC does Flat Stanley, with a twist
The University of Delaware offers students the chance to have an extended winter break or to take classes on campus or abroad during an optional winter session.
This winter, HTACers will be participating in the children’s project of Flat Stanley, but with a twist. We call it Flat Harry.
The story of Flat Stanley is simple, a boy named Stanley is flattened in his sleep and takes advantage of this transformation. He visits his friends by being mailed in an envelope.
We have opted to offer each participant a chance to create their own Flat Harry. Since some HTACers will be studying abroad, rather than spend a week with him and mail him to the next participant, each person will get to spend their entire winter session with their own Flat Harry.
Some of these adventures will be posted on here. We hope you enjoy them!
Sarah Janus on HTAC Thanksgiving
Today my friend Ellen and I hosted HTAC thanksgiving at our house!! In my 4 years in HTAC this was only my second HTAC thanksgiving. It was delicious, fun, and unforgettable! We had a huge layout of food which was awesome. The only thing in more abundance than food was laughter! I love nothing more than when our company can come together and bond! I love HTAC so much and I am so lucky to have the friends that I do! HTAC love!
Sarah Janus on LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
They say if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. They say that in theater if life gives you lemons, still be ready by opening. In the case of Little Shop of Horrors, that is absolutely true. Through sickness, Sandy, broken plants and more, our amazing cast finds themselves half way through their run and still receiving RAVE reviews. I could not be more proud of this group of people than I am right now. I hope that everyone comes out to see this fantastic show because this cast deserves so much support after ALL of the great lemonade they have had to make. COME SEE HTAC PRESENTS: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS IN BACCHUS THEATER 8:00PM TONIGHT AND TOMORROW!!
Janae Pringle on HTAC as a Family
HTAC has really been there for me through some important changes in my life. Not all of them have been good. In fact, the most recent one was the worst out of my entire life. But still through all of that, I have a family. In high school, I was a big fish in a small pond when it came to musical theatre. I got leads in a lot of the shows and was one of those girls that you knew would be on the cast list when it came out. I had a little bit of an ego from it. Coming to college at UD, though, knocked me down a peg. I was no longer that big fish in a small pond. Instead, I was a very little fish in a vast ocean of talent. Change #1. But I’m grateful for it. It’s an honor and a privilege to be surrounded by so many talented people. And not being that girl who’s always on the cast list doesn’t really bother me anymore. I’ve learned a lot about behind-the-scenes work from it. From stage crew, to working in the booth, to doing props to building and painting sets. Now, as a freshman, I thought I’d just be a regular member throughout my time here. But change #2 came along. I got elected to the HTAC Coordinator Board. When I got nominated for secretary, I didn’t think anyone would vote for me because they didn’t know who I was. But I ended up winning, and I’ve been proud to hold this position. Getting more involved in the company in this way helped me to make a lot of friends. I hadn’t found my niche at school before. And through this, I found it. Change #3. There have been lots of small changes in me lately. But the last big change was the one that turned my life upside down. This past summer, my father passed away. On Father’s Day, ironically enough. I felt hysterical and yet entirely numb at the same time. How would I face the rest of my life without him there? And while my life felt like it was going in one huge tailspin, I received so many condolences from HTAC friends. No, not friends. My HTAC family. The Coordinator Board even sent me one of those Edible Arrangements bouquets. When I came back to school for Fall semester, I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to hold myself together. I tried to be my usual self, but I was (and still am) sad all the time. But I know that my HTAC family is there for me. After my dad saw Crazy For You and met some of my friends from HTAC, he told me that he was so happy that I’d found such a talented and wonderful group of people to be a part of. I’m so glad that I joined HTAC and can’t imagine my college career without the theatre, laughter and love that it brings.
(Source: piercinald, via brenda-bee)
Harrington Theatre Arts Company
