In 2001, Legally Blonde, was released in theaters, a romantic comedy about Elle Woods, a fashionista sorority president who followed her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law to win him back. Through hard work and determination she successfully won her first case as a lawyer. Sisters sophomore Aubrey & senior Taylor Pearce represent this movie by having a role in Perry’s Legally Blonde musical, opening on October 23.
“I started at a dance studio and they started a theater program when I was seven years old. My first musical was Seussical, and I really enjoyed it from there, and when they left the dance studio, I went with them when they built their own company.” T. Pearce, who will play the bubbly character, Paulette Bonafonté.
“I’ve been doing theater for 12 years of my life, and my older sister, who’s a senior, got a lead in the play and I wanted to do it with her. I was like, why not do it?” A. Pearce got the leading role of Serena McGuire, Elle Wood’s best friend. Actors and actresses typically have someone that inspires them and motivates them. For A. Pearce, she explained that her older sister is her inspiration, with no hesitation.
Both A. and T. Pearce’s dream of pursuing a career in theatre, along with the dream of eventually working for Broadway.
Rehearsals are held for two hours every day after school except Wednesday, giving the cast plenty of time to prepare for opening night. While A. Pearce admitted that performing in front of friends can sometimes be intimidating, she also explained that the fun and welcoming environment of theater helps her overcome nerves. T. Pearce feels the opposite, saying she thrives on the adrenaline rush of being on stage and enjoys connecting with the audience. Both sisters believe theater gives them a strong sense of community and can’t wait to bring Legally Blonde to life.
Both Pearce’s love for musicals and plays stems from their childhoods. T.Pearce said, “I started at a dance studio and they started a theater program when I was seven years old. My first musical was Seussical, and I really enjoyed it from there, and when they left the dance studio, I went with them when they built their own company.” T. Pearce, who got the role of Paulette Bonafonté, a bubbly character. T.Pearce has also performed in Sister Act but also played in Hadestown and Anastasia.
A.Pearce explains “I’ve been doing theater for 12 years of my life, and my older sister, who’s a senior, got a lead in the play and I wanted to do it with her. I was like, why not do it?”. A.Pearce who got the leading role,Serena McGuire, Elle Wood’s best friend. Actresses typically have people that inspire them, and Both Pearces always motivates each other to keep pushing forward and doing her best, as A. Pearce said it was her older sister with no hesitation.
Actors can get stage fright due to getting anxious or stressed about their upcoming performances, but this isn’t A. Pearce’s first performance as she stated,“Last year, I did Puffs for the school play and I was a lien that- so I don’t have that much stage fright or stage anxiety but it’s always scary to perform in front of your friends and stuff”
She also said,“ it’s always scary to perform in front of your friends.” T.Pearce feels the opposite stated “I really like the energy that you get on stage,the adrenaline rush,and I really like making the audience feel different feelings, like anger, crying, laughing, love it.”
Rehearsals are two hours everyday except Wednesday after school. Both Pearce’s want to pursue a career in theatre and have dreams of eventually going for Broadway. Both were very excited about receiving lead roles in the play and they also added how fun it is to be in theater. A. Pearce said “The environment and just the people in it, it’s like a non-judgmental environment”.
The leading lady Cassie Tanner works with them during rehearsals stated “I’m pretty good friends with both of them. They’re both really cool. I really like both of them”
She is excited for the leading role in the musical. Tanner said “Its the first time I’ve actually really wanted a role, because before I didn’t really care what I got, but this time I actually tried and it actually paid off so it’s pretty nice.” All of the students definitely see aspects of themselves within the roles that they will be playing and the Pearce sisters were extremely excited to be doing the play with each other.
