Cinderella Musical Q&As: Grace Hudkins

Name: Grace Hudkins

Grade: 12th

Role: Cinderella

1. Why did you decide to try out for the musical?

“I decided to try out for the musical because it is my fourth year [being] a part of the theatre program, and I wanted to end my senior year the way that it started. My freshmen year, I made all my friends through musical, so it was a good, conclusive end. ”

2. What are you most excited about?

“Just watching the whole show come together; we have the costumes and the set and everything, but we haven’t put it all together yet. I’m super excited to experience all that one last time.”

3. Why should people come see the show?

“People should come see the show because it’s a different version of Cinderella—it’s more comedic—there’s a lot of twists and turns, and it’s just going to be a fun time.”

4. What’s been your favorite memory associated with the show?

“I think my favorite memory would have to be learning all the dances and watching other people do the dances—which sounds kind of weird—but just being able to watch all the magic and everything kind of develop as the show goes on. [Also], watching Israell fall flat on her face backstage—that was pretty funny.”

5. What do you and your character have in common?

“Cinderella has got a little bit of sass. I feel like she’s also very fearless, but knows when and where to do things and say things; she gets very excited. She is very optimistic about things and always has an open mind and an open heart to whoever and whatever comes her way, and I’d like to say I’m similar to her in that way.”

6. Do you have any pre-performance rituals to get into the zone?

“I always pray. And then before the shows, everyone meets up in the dance studio, and the four-years lead people in this little, cute song. Everyone always [is] together upstairs and talking and hyping each other up.”

7. What’s your favorite part about being associated with the theatre program?

“This sounds basic, but the people. I’ve made so many new friends this year—every year that I’ve done the show, I always meet new people.

8. Which Disney character do you think you’re most alike and why?

“I’d say Rapunzel from Tangled simply because I feel like her personality is similar to mine; I’m very gullible, and she, in the movie, is pretty gullible. But she’s also very kindhearted and upbeat, and I’d like to say that most of the time, I’m upbeat as well.”

9. Who would you like to thank?

“I’d like to thank my parents for making me try out my freshmen year because I wasn’t going to, and they were like, ‘I think it’d be a good experience for you.’ I’d like to thank my friends for always coming to the shows and watching and supporting, Olivia [Dewald] for trying out this year and doing it with me. And all the adults that help out with it; thank you for putting in your time and effort when you don’t have to. And then the cast and crew for being my family at this point.”