Senior School Play Spotlight: Harlo Young and Charlotte Purcocks — Issue 24

This year’s Senior School play is the Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As we approach the end of the second month of rehearsal, it is worth reflecting on how far our cast has come. Some students are seasoned performers, having honed their skills in delivery, presentation, and stage presence, while others entered the world of theatre just two months ago and have developed skills in movement, character development, and stage awareness at an impressive pace. It is truly inspiring to see the community surrounding this play grow stronger as they work toward the shared goal of creating a production they can all be proud of.

 

This past week, students have honed their ability to portray their characters authentically. In one of the scenes rehearsed, the cast strengthened their ability to maintain character behaviour and deliver lines with refinement and focus, despite the intentionally humorous undertones. Their commitment to playing into the magic and humour of the scene has enhanced the intended comedic effect. This level of dedication allows the humour to feel organic rather than forced, strengthening the overall impact.

 

Meet Harlo Young ’28, a day student in her fifth year at King’s-Edgehill School. Harlo discovered a love for theatre in Grade 6 with her first performance, and her passion for the arts has grown since then. She has played guitar for about 10 years, painted and drawn for as long as she can remember, and danced competitively for about nine years. Before attending KES, Harlo was shy and never imagined performing on stage. However, since attending King’s was already outside her comfort zone, she decided to try acting—and she is glad she did.

 

Harlo believes art comes in many forms and that everyone can find one that resonates. For her, theatre is a way to decompress and remove pressure, and she encourages others to explore an art form they enjoy, as it can support mental well-being. When asked what she would like to share with the community, Harlo said, “This show is friendly and funny for all, and I would highly recommend coming to watch it in April!”

 

Take a look at Charlotte Purcocks ’27, a Grade 11 student from Canada who has been part of the King’s-Edgehill community for the past six months. Charlotte joined the Senior School play to refine her acting abilities and continue growing as a performer. Already experienced as a singer with many public performances, stepping into theatre felt like the next step in her artistic journey.

 

Charlotte believes creativity should be part of everyday life and sees theatre as the perfect space for regular artistic expression. One of her favourite parts of rehearsals has been the warm-up games that energize the cast and set the tone for productive rehearsals. When asked what she would like to share with the community, she said, “This is going to be a very fun, comedic show, and I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

 

We invite you to join us April 9–11 to see the result of our cast and crew’s hard work.