Lauren Harper had two roles in “I Hate Shakespeare.”
She played Ophelia and Laertes.
And now she is the St. Joseph-Ogden fine arts student of the month.
Director Chandler Dalton said the freshman rarely needed acting notes despite it being her first time on stage.
“She was doing what I asked of her,” Dalton said. “She was always the one to help out her castmates with their lines and help problem solve certain scenes we had issues with.”
Dalton said Harper told her numerous times how long she had waited to be in high school just to be in the drama productions.
“She always comes to rehearsal with a positive attitude and is ready to work.”
Dalton said Harper continued her helpful ways in November during rehearsals for the Musical Theater Cabaret.
“She can play the piano so she has helped out her castmates in learning their music and has helped them prepare for auditions,” she said.
Dalton said that not only is Harper a great drama student but she is also in art and chorus.
“She is an all-around great fine arts student and excels on stage and in the classroom,” Dalton said. “She is always one of the first people to arrive at rehearsal and one of the lasts to leave.”
Harper said it was amazing to be nominated as the fine arts student of the month.
“It’s good to know that in my short time at SJO I’m making a positive impact already,” she said.
Harper said that she sometimes feels that the fine arts are underrated at SJO but she hopes to help change that.
“My goal during my time at SJO is to help promote the arts in a positive light,” she said.
She’s certainly doing her part by participating in three fine arts at SJO.
For her part, Harper said singing is her life.
“I wouldn’t be who I am without it,” she said. “I love the people in the choir like my own family and Mr. Hess is like a second father to me.”
Harper said the best part about fine arts at SJO is the bond you form with other students.
“I’ve met so many people in fine arts that welcomed me with open arms without even previously knowing me,” she said. “As a freshman, I’m just now meeting people with the same interests as me and it is amazing.”
Harper hopes to attend a fine arts college.
“I really want to major in musical theater,” she said. “My dream being Broadway. If all else fails I would also like to be a high school drama and or music director.”
