Hannah Lola Hughes played Rona in IUP’s 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee musical. Some of the cast members were double cast, which gave more variety and challenges for the cast. The show just wrapped up its final weekend of performances, and it was a huge success.
Playing the part of Rona was challenging for Hannah, because she is a child-like spirit while Rona is one of the adults of the play. Rona is more grounded, so Hannah had to remember to be grounded in the show.
Rona’s goals are for the Bee to run smooth, but “Also as an actor you have to make sure everything runs smoothly.” Hannah is referring to the volunteers that spell with the other actors within the first act of the musical. To prepare for Rona, Hannah read and studied Real-estate ads and on motherly characters, for the Spelling Bee is supposed to be for a group of fourth graders. The improv for the volunteers was stressful at first, but Hannah followed the sheet that gave her funny punchlines to introduce the volunteers.
Sean, who played Vice Principal Panch, and Hannah had to be in sync with one another in order to help the show run smoothly. Before and after the show, Sean made sure that they were on the same page for the improv and other situations, and Hannah says that he has been a mentor. Sean is an alumnus of IUP, and gave tips to the other actors on how the Theatre world works.
The cast was divided into two, where a certain group went at different times. Hannah says that Rob the Director says it is important to remember “that it is the same show, but with different takes and actors.”
Hannah says that for the roles with two actors that, “The different actors approach the role different, which gives different reactions and tones for the audience.”
Hannah was in She Kills Monsters as Vera, and Rona is her second main stage show. She is learning to be grounded and Vera has helped her understand on how to act in a professional setting. Rona’s role has pushed Hannah as a singer and helped her voice reach new heights.
Being in character is important, “one time we did a run and I wasn’t Rona. I could tell, but now I have set in. Sometimes ‘Hannah’ comes out, so I have to be aware when that happens to focus myself back to Rona.”
To get into character, Hannah does tongue twisters. “The reason is that Hannah can be a little mushy mouth, so the tongue twisters help me get into the character’s voice.” Thinking about Rona’s goal to have the Bee run smoothly is also a reminder that helps Hannah get into character.
For those thinking about Theater as a major, Hannah says that “If you are questioning to be an Actor, then acting may not be for you.”
According to the the Director Rob, “Acting is a craft and it has to be a passion that you want to work on. Without that you will not do it justice.”