HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA: CPA'S Holly Hill

Welcome, dear ladies and gentlemen and all supporters of theater (both local and otherwise) to our freshest installment of High School Drama, in which we introduce BWW Nashville readers to some of Music City's hardest working teenaged actors. Living in a city made all the more unique and interesting by the creative people who live here and create art every day, we are especially to be blessed by scores of talented individuals who make a night in the theater both compelling and challenging.

Throughout Middle Tennessee, high school theater is growing by leaps and bounds, challenging all manner or preconceived notions. Led by outstanding educators like Mary Ellen Smith, Matt Smith, Paula Flautt, Daron Bruce, Jenny Noel and Will Butler, student actors are making their mark on the theater community, not only in academic productions but in community and professional projects, as well.

This week we introduce you to one of Paula Flautt's outstanding actors: Holly Hill, an 18-year-old senior at Christ Presbyterian Academy, who is busy doing her college auditions while preparing for what could well be the most challenging role any young actress could aspire to: Mary Poppins in CPA's April production of the Broadway musical. In addition, she is a member of the Tennessee State Thespian Conference advisory board.

Here's your opportunity to get to know the lovely and talented Holly Hill...

What is your theatrical goal in life? My ultimate goal or dream, like most young actresses, would probably be to make it to Broadway after I finish college. However, if that never happens I'm perfectly satisfied with practicing my craft as a working actress. Perhaps I can work professionally or be in a traveling production. I'm ready to work wherever I feel like I'm being called to and it might be Broadway or it might not be. I've also entertained the idea of teaching theatre. I feel like I've been blessed with so many incredible teachers that I would love to be the teacher that my teachers are to me.

If you could play any role in any show what would you choose? I feel like most young sopranos' dream is to be Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and I am one of them. I find that part beautiful and complex. I also would love to be Maria in The Sound of Music, I would love to be in some Shakespeare shows and I'd love to be in Jim Leonard's The Diviners.

What's been your best theatrical experience to date? I had only done shows with my school up to my freshman year. I decided to try something different so I did Seussical with Bravo Creative Arts Center in Franklin my freshman year and it was incredibly refreshing to work with new faces and make new friends. Each time I do community theatre I am remember that show as a whole was one of the most rewarding things I've done to this day. However, my favorite role I've played was Amy March in my director's adaption of Little Women. Amy had always been a role I wanted to play and it was thrilling to perform it.

Who are your favorite actors? Some actors I truly admire are Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep (all hail the Queen) and Benedict Cumberbatch and Julie Andrews.

What show that you've never seen would you most like to see? I would love to see A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder and I would have loved to see Of Mice and Men.

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