Henderson, Tennessee – Freed-Hardeman University Theatre will present Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical” as its homecoming production this fall, featuring young actors from the Chester County Youth Theater.
According to a press release from Tajuana Cheshier – The Bramblett Group – performances will be held Thursday, Nov. 10, and Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. in Loyd Auditorium, and a matinee performance will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.
FHU Theatre and Chester County Youth Theater invite FHU alumni, friends and the community to enjoy this family friendly show. Individuals may purchase tickets at fhutickets.com.
Chester County Youth Theater Director Becky Hartle is directing “Matilda the Musical,” alongside Lauren Malecha, music director, Jenna Britt, choreographer, and Brandyn Graves, set designer and FHU Theatre faculty. “I am so thankful I get to combine my worlds of FHU Theatre and Chester County Youth Theater to create this one of a kind performance of ‘Matilda,’” FHU alumna, Hartle said. “It has been inspiring to see how the college students have become leaders and positive examples to our CCYT kids. I have also been so impressed with my CCYT kids, who have stayed on the same level as the college kids while learning the rigorous music and choreography elements of the show!”
For eight weeks the cast has worked together to learn their lines, songs and characters.
“I think it’s impressive what the younger students are doing. They’re very fun, and they get theatre,” FHU senior Nate Cass said. Cass is portraying Rudolpho in the musical and is a theatre design major.
Local homeschooler and CCYT cast member Allie Grace Kopp is portraying Amanda Thripp in the production and enjoys a scene where she is thrown by her pigtails. “I’m enjoying the challenge of the choreography in the play. I’m more of a singer than a dancer, so I practice a lot at home. This is a wonderful cast with talented people.”
This is the second FHU Homecoming performance for FHU sophomore Haley Hixson, who is portraying Matilda. She portrayed Frances in last year’s “Burnt Part Boys.” “I’ve been working on making my voice little and changing my physicality,” said Hixson, a double major in theatre and education. “Matilda is such a long storyteller and speaks in a British accent, so that’s been a fun challenge.”
FHU senior Shayli Studer portrays Matilda’s favorite teacher, Ms. Honey, in the production. Studer has a passion for theatre and storytelling and has seen the play twice in Nashville. “It’s a sweet role to play,” Studer said. “She has a hard battle to stand up for herself.”
For many in the cast, coming together to make the show a success is a rewarding, collaborative effort.
“My favorite part of this process would be the E&E groups. This stands for encourage and engage, which helps form bonds between the FHU college students and the Chester County Youth Theater students,” Hartle said. “They spend five minutes each rehearsal getting to know each other better. They also eat together during meals and encourage each other on and off stage. They even trick or treated together in Halloween costumes, as CCYT parents passed out candy in Loyd Auditorium before rehearsal! This experience is about more than just the production. It’s about the bonding of two different age groups and the memories that will last a lifetime. It will be a special experience to witness Chester County students perform together with FHU students on stage! We hope the community will enjoy this family friendly show of Matilda!”
FHU Matilda Cast List
Matilda Wormwood- Haley Hixson
Miss Agatha Trunchbull- Jack Joiner
Miss Honey- Shayli Studer
Mr. Wormwood- Trenton Sweeney
Mrs. Wormwood- Grace Sykes
Michael Wormwood- Eli Cadle
Mrs. Phelps- Kaylee Sexson
The Escapologist- Jordan Deck
The Acrobat- Dailey Reitmair
Rudolpho- Sir Nate Cass
Doctor- Ashlyn Chandler
Children’s Entertainer- Hudson Lewis
Sergei- T.J. Kirk
LITTLE KIDS:
Bruce- Elijah Hardin
Lavender- Hope Rininger
Amanda- Allie Grace Kopp
Nigel- Brody Hysmith
Eric- Cole Jordan
Alice- Cyan Nichols
Hortensia- Madelyn McPeake
Tommy- Caleb Rogers
BIG KIDS:
Amelia Barr
Anna Jewell Clayton
Anslee Hulen
Ashlyn Chandler
Hannah Grace Robinson
Hannah Sherwin
Jack Terry
Jonah Smith
Kayley Wadlington
Kaitlyn Thompson
Landon Rydl
Lydia Smith
Maci Cagle
Sadie Childers
Taylor Gorrell
OTHER ENSEMBLE:
Hudson Lewis
Grace Beadle
Tylon Hill (Big Kid Alternate)
Lydia Hamilton (Big Kid Alternate)
ALTERNATES/ENSEMBLE:
Brooklyn Judd
Isaac Dalton
Olivia DeFilippo
