![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Audition dates, workshop announced for 42nd Street spring musical
Students participating in last year’s spring musical, “High School Musical,” strike a pose on stage. Due to the intensive tap dancing involved in this year’s musical, “42nd Street,” auditions will be held in September instead of November.
September 6, 2017
Auditions for this year’s spring musical, “42nd Street,” were announced to the upper school community by way of email by performing arts director Laura Lang-Ree on Aug. 1.
“I was looking for a very epic musical that just spoke to traditional Broadway,” Lang-Ree said. “I think we’re all going to be so excited and impressed by the new theater that it just needed something that spoke to the history of musical theater.”
One of musical theater’s most classic tales, tap musical “42nd Street” tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, who goes to New York in hopes of achieving her dreams of becoming a Broadway star.
“It’s a very fun show and the songs are super cool,” Anika Banga (12), who plans to audition for the musical, said. “Another thing that’s difference about this musical is that it’s a tap musical, so it’ll be fun to learn how to tap and see how that combines in with the rest of the show.”
Marie Stinnett, a dance instructor and former Broadway dancer, will be the show’s tap master and will assist in choreographing the dances.
“She worked with Frank Sinatra and she worked on the Broadway stage and [with] Tommy Tune and all these classic famous, famous people,” Lang-Ree said. “She’s seen things from all regards: as a performer, as a director and as a choreographer. She’s one of the most meticulous choreographers I’ve ever met.”
This year, auditions for the musical will take place in September, rather than November, in order to allow the actors more time for additional vocal and tap training.
Auditions will be held during lunch from Sept. 18 through Sept. 20, and dance auditions will be held on Sept. 21 in Nichols.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on September 6, 2017.
