One of the things I love about being a host on Experience Michiana is that I learn some things too.

Lots of things actually.

And this is my first time at Premier Arts.

Welcome.

I can't even where have I been exactly?

Where?

Because you've been in the community for like 15, 16 years.

This is our sweet 16 season here.

Yep.

Oh my goodness.

And you have some really wonderful shows scheduled for this.

Yes.

And then we started the year with Peter Pan.

We are now doing Matilda this summer we are doing Oklahoma with also a junior cast.

And then we'll do school of Rock and then end the year with LS also having a junior cast with that as well.

Oh that's wonderful.

So tell us about Premiere Arts because there's classes.

There's there's a lot that you do.

Absolutely.

So Premiere Arts and we are the resident community theater here at the Lerner Theater.

And our goal really is just to give people opportunities to be in the arts, to express themselves, to, be involved in an artistic community.

So we have voice lessons, piano lessons.

We, of course, do these shows.

we also in the summertime, we have something called Best of Broadway, which is a week long day camp, that kids get to come to and have an intensive week of from auditions to performance.

Just learn everything about theater, which is something that Molly hears playing Matilda has been a part of as well.

And so Matilda's coming up, I believe that's May 3rd through the fifth and Molly plays Matilda.

And you, Catherine, play this is Agatha Trunchbull.

And you have to say it just like that.

So if you're not familiar with Matilda, I'm wondering how the two of you can stand here together.

Catherine, can you do you scared?

I scared Molly.

a little bit later.

Really?

Oh.

Not really.

Can you give a little just a little synopsis of what Matilda is?

Matilda is really kind of a magical story about a girl named Molly who is a genius, who's very smart, has some very special abilities to typecasting.

Right?

Absolutely.

And she uses those abilities to kind of stand up to the terrible Miss Agatha Trunchbull, who is running the school and really being a bully to all the kids in the school as well.

And one of the wonderful thing about the arts is that you can experience it even at a very young age, which is exactly what happened to you.

I mean, you started this at about five years old.

Yeah.

What did you play at five years old?

Please tell me.

basically at first ensembles, because, Mr. Craig did not know what I was capable of doing.

Okay.

Okay, okay.

But look at you now.

Yeah.

It's you.

That's right.

The lead role.

Yeah.

How does it feel to play Molly?

How do you feel about it?

Yeah.

Playing Matilda.

Matilda.

Yeah, I feel like.

Not as Molly playing Matilda.

I got it right.

it's really exciting, that I get to have this opportunity to do this.

just really happy that I got it.

I when I saw that it came out, I was I always like, basically like love Matilda.

And I love how she how I love her.

She reads books because I love books, too.

And so I just think that this role is really fun for me to play.

That's a wonderful note.

Now you're in it for five years now.

So how does an actress of your stature, how do you prepare for this role?

so basically I practice a lot at home, like whenever I have lots of, like, freedom.

I always just, like, practice the dances, the singing, the the lines, if I have any lines at all.

And, I just tell myself, because this show, there's a lot of lines from Matilda and like, like a lot of stories that she tells.

And so, I was a little bit stressed out about it, but, I like I just tell myself that I can do it and that, you know, I just build that self-confidence that way.

Wonderful, I love it.

What is one of your favorite lines?

in the show?

Your absolute favorite.

Maybe.

What?

this is hard.

How about do you think about it and we'll come back to you, okay, before we go.

Okay.

Now, this this has to be kind of almost like one of those roles in a lifetime.

She that this character, it's a big carrot.

Oh, yes.

Yeah.

So tell us a little about the character.

And how are you preparing for her?

Yeah.

So do you see nice things in your family?

Nice things.

you know, I love acting.

Acting is something that I've done for a very long time.

I got involved with Premier Arts last summer, so almost coming up on a year, being involved.

And, yeah, Miss Agatha Trunchbull is just a big, over-the-top, strong character.

But there is also, she offers some of that comedic relief in the show.

So you're afraid of her, but you also get to laugh at her a little bit, too.

And, I think really it's it's just about owning.

Owning the character, owning those lines, liking the interaction.

You know, Molly and I actually know each other from the academy where I teach the drama club.

And so, it's it's fun to switch completely switch 180 and, and act in that way where it's not at all who I am, but very fun to do.

And with all like you said, she's a scary character.

But there's also such a redemption, like a redemptive story.

In Matilda that's just absolutely beautiful.

Yes.

Yeah, there really is not so much redemption.

Not sure on, you know, no matter.

But it it's a wonderful story that comes together.

It feels very complete.

Yes.

With all the different parts that are going on and how it wraps up together.

This is really a show that the whole family can come to and enjoy together.

So now who's the choreographer?

Because the choreography in Matilda, it's it's so spectacular.

And I'm sure you're having a lot of fun with it.

Yeah, I am our choreographer name is Jackie Jerkecki, and she's also playing Mrs. Wormwood.

So Matilda's mom in the show as well.

Oh, she is so yeah, she is an excellent choreographer, a great performer as well.

But this choreography, it's it's got modern touches in it, but then it also has some of the more vintage flair as well.

It's very visually captivating for sure.

Yes.

And Molly your dancing in it as well right?

Yes.

Oh, can you show me a step?

Maybe.

this is one of my favorites.

It's in revolting Children.

000, okay.

All right.

Okay.

I love that step, too.

Well, you know what?

I'm so excited that you're going to play a role of a lifetime.

And Matilda.

And they chose just the right person to play her.

So I love that your confidence is there and you're going to be a star.

You're going to be wonderful on stage.

Thank you.

Right.

And, thank you so much for being with us.

We so enjoyed it.

And Matilda again is going to be May 3rd through the fifth.

And guys, break a leg.

Thank you.

So yes, thank you for coming.

Thank you.