Editor’s Note: “Hawks Uncovered” is a series that tells the often unknown stories of Hebron students and staff.
Schedule release day: a day filled with anxiety for freshman Lucy Ward. She didn’t see her requested class art 1, but instead saw her alternate: theater 1.
Lucy had no idea the influence the theater program would have on her. Starting with her spring semester, Lucy auditioned for the freshman advanced class, made it to junior varsity by her sophomore year and played the lead in “Matilda” her junior year. Now a senior, Lucy is playing Wednesday in “The Addams Family.”
The role was not easy to obtain. Starting in October, Lucy began the first iteration of auditions by preparing a vocal cut and dance choreographed by junior Anika Agarwal. Following the first audition, callbacks narrowed down the cast pool, with director Chelsey Thornburg giving each actor a scene to read at the time of the audition. Thornburg also paired different actors together, seeing how different pairings could change the overall impact of the show.
Despite the role of Wednesday being her second lead, there were adjustments Lucy had to make during rehearsals. While Matilda aligned with Lucy’s self-described happy-go-lucky personality, the preparations for Wednesday led to her channeling a broody, more grounded persona. One thing Lucy said she finds in common with both characters is their dedication to success. Whether it be Wednesday’s insistence on having a wedding with her parents blessing or Matilda’s commitment to justice for her classmate, Lucy said she hopes to carry out the same dedication within her performance.
During Lucy’s time with the character, she discovered a new side of herself – one that taught her how to prioritize Lucy, and not others. This wasn’t the only thing from the show that mirrored her personal life; as she prepares to say goodbye to the theater company and go off to college, she is faced with leaving behind her family and the place she has grown up, similar to her character’s feeling in her duet, “Happy/Sad.”
In her four years with the program, Lucy said her time has given her a passion she fell in love with. What started as an alternate elective has become an integral part of her life.