High School Musical Jr. Q&As: Sophie Young
Name: Sophie Young
Grade: 12
Position: Head of Hair, Makeup, and Costume
How do you get in your zone before shows?
“I don’t really think I’m ever out of the zone during shows. If I’m working on a show, that’s really the only thing that occupies my mind until closing night. The real trick is finding something to do with your time once a show is over.”
What’s your favorite time-killer activity during scenes?
“Oddly enough, cleaning. Crew doesn’t really get a lot of bonding time, so cleaning up the messes we make or cleaning out the costume closet is actually a relief. I’d tell you more, but what happens in the scene shop stays in the scene shop.”
What’s your favorite show you’ve worked on?
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to pick this, but I would say the talent show. Everyone always does an amazing job, but you don’t get a lot of time to bond with everyone. And that bonding time is what makes theatre so fun.”
What’s your favorite part about being on crew?
“There’s so much that goes on in crew, that the cast doesn’t even know half of it sometimes. Everyone on crew is amazing and works so hard, but we also share so many laughs when we get a break from rehearsing. It’s always nice to have a good cast, but the people you have on crew with you create the entire dynamic for the show.”
Have you made any memorable mistakes while crewing a show?
“I am unable to disclose that information, but you might find out at the premiere.”
What’s your opinion on the Olivia Rodrigo-Joshua Bassett- Sabrina Carpenter love triangle?
“Joshua Bassett doesn’t deserve the hype anymore, Sabrina has nothing to do with their relationship, and Olivia is my icon—I’m literally obsessed with her—so she’s obviously right in any problems that the love triangle may face.”
Sam Werkema
Name: Sam Werkema
Grade: 12th Grade
Character: Townsperson, part of Ensemble
1. Do you have a “ritual” for before rehearsals or shows?
“Not really. This is my first year doing [the musical], so I usually just stretch out before every rehearsal.”
2. If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
“I would want to be famous for something important. I’m hoping to go into biology so maybe making strides towards curing cancer or moving us away from antibiotics.”
3.How long have you been singing?
“I have never done anything official—just singing along to music in the car.”
4. What made you try out for the musical?
“I actually didn’t try out. They didn’t have enough guys for all of the parts, so Mrs. DeMeester recruited me after she saw my performance at RAT.”
5. What has this year’s experience been like?
“It’s been a ton of fun. It definitely makes me wish I wouldn’t have waited until my senior year to do it.”
6. How much of your personality can you blame on your star sign?
“If I had to give a percentage, I would say that I am 0% like my sign.”
7.Who would you like to thank?
“DeMeester has definitely been a lot of help, and she puts a lot of effort in and it shows. The crew, of course; we couldn’t do the show without them. Definitely Ali Azeem and Cole Kaminski for getting me into the musical in the first place.”