Newsies showcases local talent

BY BONNIE KAY BALDWIN
LAKE MILLS GRAPHIC
Natalie Kingland, Emma Martinson, and Anna Singelstad, all young women who will be seniors at LMHS this fall, are playing various parts in the Broadway Musical, Newsies.
Newsies is based on a true story about newsboys in 1899, who went on strike to fight for higher wages. The book was written by Harvey Fierstein, and in 1992 became a Disney musical for the whole family.
This musical put on by Powerhouse Theatre will run from July 18-28, and will take place at 20 N. 5th St., Clear Lake. Tickets can be purchased online at www. phtheatre.com/newsies-tickets.
Powerhouse Theatre was founded in 2018 by co-founders, Ben (resident music director) and Molly Schrade (resident producer), and Stacie LaMoore (resident director). It is a non-profit, semi-professional theatre company.
Auditions were held in early April, and rehearsals began in May.
Kingland plays the character, JoJo and is a Manhattan newsie. She said, “I’m learning that there is a lot of stuff that needs to happen in order to put on a successful show. We have a ton of projects, big and small, that the whole cast is working on completing before show week.”
Singelstad plays four characters—a nun, a bowery beauty, a scab (a type of newsie), and a Bronx newsie. She shared that, at the start, each of the actors had goal sheets and were paired up with a director, who helps them reach their goals. One of her goals was to be a better actor.
“When I first got involved in acting it was the music that drew me in. I’ve always been a music kid, then I realized I love dancing and acting as well . . . I think I’m decently outgoing, but I can be shy, and I think that performing for people, there’s a certain adrenaline about it . . . and that’s super exciting.”
“Actually this show, Newsies, means a lot to me because it’s about young people fighting for what they believe in, and what they want.”
Martinson plays Buttons; also a Manhattan newsie. “Being a part of Powerhouse Theatre this summer has been such a fun new experience,” said
Martinson. “I’ve met so many amazing and talented people. This musical is full of choreography, which is definitely where I’ve grown the most. I’ve been given lots of opportunities to use my dance experience to help others, along with receiving help in return. The entire cast is amazing, and I’m super proud to be a part of this production.”
Acting alongside these high school seniors, there are a lot of college kids, so they felt a little bit intimidated at first, but they have made a lot of new friends.