At a quarter to 7 p.m. Sept. 11, Lou Michelson (鈥�24) received the cast list for the High School fall production of 鈥淟egally Blonde.鈥� Michelson said she videoed her reaction to its release for fun, unknowingly capturing the moment she discovered she had been cast as the musical鈥檚 lead character, Elle Woods.
Michelson said she doubted she would be cast as the lead because of the character鈥檚 typical presentation as a blonde and high singing range.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 something that crossed my mind because I never thought I could do it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was a brunette alto. That’s not a role that anyone would even consider me for.鈥�
Michelson said she moved to London from a girls鈥� school in Los Angeles, California, where she performed in almost every school production since middle school. She said she knew that she wanted to audition for this year鈥檚 production even before her time at the school started.
鈥淚t felt like a great way to find a community and also have fun while doing it,鈥� she said.
When Michelson learned the production was set to be 鈥淟egally Blonde,鈥� she said her eagerness to participate grew.聽
鈥溾�楲egally Blonde鈥� is one of my all-time favorite shows and one of my all-time dream roles that I never ever thought I would get,鈥� she said.聽
On the first day of auditions Sept. 5, Michelson said she was initially apprehensive because of the 鈥渢ight-knit community鈥� of theater.
鈥淚t’s great to be a part of, but entering it can be difficult,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was just very nervous to meet everyone, but I was more excited.鈥�
To perform the role, Michelson said she is 鈥渞eally just pushing myself to try and be the best I can be,鈥� which involves maintaining the health of her voice.聽
In addition to juggling rehearsals, Michelson said she is also trying to adapt to her new classes. She attends after-school rehearsals nearly every day, which she said has benefited her time management skills.聽
鈥淗aving a full schedule helps me get my homework done quicker, so I’ve been able to balance it pretty well,鈥� she said.
Moreover, Michelson said those involved in the production have helped welcome her to the school.聽
鈥淓veryone鈥檚 really accepting and wants to hear everything about you, and it makes you feel like people really want you there,鈥� she said.
Ultimately, Michelson said the dedication of her castmates in each rehearsal makes the experience more enjoyable.
鈥淚t’s very hard to find a community where everyone is really, really into it, but everyone is really, really into it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s great to just be a part of that.鈥�
