What started as a fun-filled acting try-out on a local stage has led an aspiring young lady to pursue her passion for the performing arts.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Hannah Hartman, 15, of Jamesport was nominated to a theatrical school after first performing in the “Jungle Book” play presented by Missoula Children’s Theater at Courter Theater in Gallatin last summer.
Hannah was invited by staff of the tour group to further her acting skills at Next Step Prep performing arts boarding school at the Missoula Children’s Theatre headquarters in Missoula, Mont. She attended from June 19 to July 28, 2017.
Competition for the school is intense. Hannah was selected after sending in an essay, a monologue on video, and an audition video in which she sang “On My Own” from Les Miserables.
Hannah said she gained extensive exposure to three forms of performing arts during the school.
“I was able to learn from other more experienced performers, while gaining my own experience,” she said. “It was an amazing learning environment and the staff was super supportive.”
Hannah said her strength is acting, followed by singing, and then dance. She enjoyed learning dance skills at the program and would like to study dance further. She’d also like to learn to play the violin in the future.
Hannah has been in several plays at the Gallatin Theater and Chillicothe Theater. She attended a small camp in Utah for a week during an acting workshop.
Hannah is home schooled and said the long boarding school routine was daunting at first.
“Homeschooling is more flexible and the traditional schedule took some getting used to,” she said.
She received a scholarship to be able to attend and said financial support is available for students who need the help.
Hannah takes her acting seriously and is looking forward to studying the performing arts in college and then as a career. In the meantime, she works at her parent’s, Brent and Amanda Hartman, BBQ Depot in Jamesport and enjoys playing videos and reading.
She said, “It was a really good experience overall and I’d like to do it again next year, if I am accepted.”