The role of Annie has not been easy for Jackie Cummings.
Cummings, who is the lead role in this week’s De Pere HS musical “Annie”, described her difficulties performing the role of a child.
“I have to sing very young, and that has been hard for me because in choir you have to sing taller, and pretend to be 10 years older to make your sound as full as possible,” Cummings said. “The challenge was trying to get in the mindset that Annie is an 11-year-old child and my voice has matured so how do we get my voice back to that 11-year-old self?”
Cummings also voiced another challenge with the character.
“Annie is tough, so I am trying to be less whiny and childlike.”
Three shows are taking place, the first one starting on Thursday, Nov. 14, continuing with shows on the 15 and 16 at 7 p.m.
“I’m a little stressed but I’m really excited for things to come together,” Cummings said.
At the start of the school year auditions were held for “Annie” and Jackie described her audition process as “really easy.”
During the audition process Jackie shared that she read off for Lily St. Regis, one of the secondary characters.
After finding out she got the role of Annie, Jackie “cried because of happiness” knowing her hard work paid off.
However, Jackie talked about her initial feelings towards the choice of the musical being “Annie”.
“I was sad that it was “Annie”, but I knew if I did not do the musical I would regret it later when all of my friends are in it,” she said.
Jackie has a passion for musicals, saying, “My mom (DPHS choir teacher) kind of got me into that, and I just love performing and love being on stage.”
Although Jackie said she loves music as a hobby, she added, “I want to go into journalism and newspaper stuff or being a weatherwoman.”
Jackie is “super excited” about the show.
“Just bring people because it is a family-friendly show, and you will have fun with every character,” she said. “I feel like every person has really shined, even the people in the ensemble, people who only have a couple of lines. They all found a way to shine on stage and nobody will be overlooked.”
