Herron Theatre’s 2025-2026 season had a large range of shows. From Once Upon a One More Time to Little Woman and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Herron theatre even had a competition show called The GAB that made it to internationals which it will compete in over the summer. The many Theatre classes Herron offers gives students a chance to act at school without being in a show. For students that do participate in Herron shows, the amount of shows in a year, the different directors, tech week, and other factors require actors to prepare diligently for upcoming shows. To understand how some actors prepare I interviewed four students that have been in Herron Theatre shows in the 2025-2026 season.
Chloe Barber (10th)
Chloe Barber during the 2025-2026 season performed in Once Upon A One More Time as Little Red, Charlie in the Chocolate Factory as Violet Beauregarde, and is currently Jo March in Little Women.
Cassidy Polick (9th)
Cassidy Polick during the 2025-2026 season performed in Once Upon A One More Time in the Ensamble, Charlie in the Chocolate Factory as Grandma Jo and an Ompa Lompa, and is currently Annie in Little Women.
Ramona Young (9th)
Ramona during the 2025-2026 season performed in Once Upon A One More Time in the Ensamble, Charlie in the Chocolate Factory as Ms. Gloop, and is currently Sallie in Little Women.
Ozzie Buttler (12th)
Ozzie during the 2025-2026 season performed in Once Upon A One More Time as the evil Stepmother, The GAB as Angela Merriweather, and is currently Marmee in Little Women.
How do you prepare for an upcoming show?
Chloe Barber
“I memorize over and over, train my body for stress, and prioritize my needs, learning when to rest.”
Cassidy Polick
“I get majority of school work done so I can fully prioritize acting and preparing myself.”
Ramona Young
“I go over lines or dance depending on a show, I drink hot tea, breathe, and distract myself with friends.”
Ozzie Buttler
“Recordings and voice memos of either the scenes to practice or lines, or of me singing so I can hear how I sound. Also getting lots of sleep.”
What makes Herron theatre stand out?
Chloe Barber
“It’s so incredibly safe and inclusive. It’s a great space I could enter at my loudest or quietist and still heard.”
Cassidy Polick
“The community and how our cast mates and directors support us through everything.”
Ramona Young
“The positive community of both the cast and directors and how easily you can fit in with each other.”
Ozzie Buttler
“I think everyone is so nice and welcoming! I know that theatre has a reputation of being ‘hard to get into’ but I think everyone is supportive.”
