The spotlights shine on a closed curtain as people file into the house of a theater. Excited patrons take their seats as they await the performance they have looked forward to all day. Eventually, the lights dim and the curtain rises to reveal a talented cast and an entertaining show.

Revere High School freshman Audrey Halvorson will take on the lead role of Delphi in Spotlight Theatre’s production of Weird Romance. The show follows an old lady who is transported into a supermodel’s body as part of a scientific experiment. Located in Broadview Heights, this production will be Halvorson’s first time playing the lead role.

Halvorson has participated in musical theatre for eight years, beginning when she was in first grade. Her favorite roles include Molly in 13 – The Musical and Simeon’s Wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Halvorson described how she landed the role of Delphi.

“During one of my voice lessons, my voice teacher, who is also the director, asked me to sing some stuff [from the production]. Later that day, he offered me the role. It was pretty cool that I was offered the role without having to audition,” Halvorson said.

Halvorson explained that the cast in this production consists of adults only. She described the difference between working with youth casts and adult casts.

“[This show will] give me experience working with people older than I am and not just kids, so it will probably strengthen my stage presence and challenge me in that way,” Halvorson said.

Since Halvorson is much younger than some of her castmates, she must adapt to their rehearsal and performance techniques as opposed to those of a younger cast. Heather Halvorson, Audrey’s mother, also commented on this shift in demographics.

“This show is different than any she has done before since it is not a youth production. Up until now, her shows have primarily consisted of casts made up of youth and teens with some adults when necessary. Since she is the youngest cast member in this show, she has the opportunity to learn from more experienced actors,” she said.

Halvorson attends rehearsals three nights a week from 7 to 10 pm. She explained that the sporadic schedule results from the nature of the show being split into two acts, thus having two separate storylines.

“[Rehearsals are] on random nights since it is two different storylines and two different acts. I have a smaller part in the second act, [but I will still] have to be there for parts of the second act,” Halvorson said.

Since Halvorson has participated in many shows, she believes musical theatre has shaped her as a person and within her personality. Heather Halvorson commented on the changes she has seen in Audrey since she started with musical theatre.

“Audrey’s involvement in community theatre has helped her become a confident person who is not afraid to speak, sing and perform in front of others. She has been performing since she was little, when it did not matter if she forgot a line or messed up a song. Her audience was forgoing and supportive since she was just a kid. As she has grown up performing she has developed a comfort level in front of a maybe less forgiving audience. It has taught her to face her fears. She is often nervous before an audition or performance but is able to overcome any fear that she has. It has taught her responsibility. She knows that no matter how big or small her role may be it is an important one. If she does not learn her lines or know where she should be on stage the whole show suffers,” she said.

Abbey Lyman, who recently participated in Joseph with Halvorson, commented on Halvorson’s personality and influence on the rest of the cast.

“Audrey has always been such a wonderful person to work with. She is equally as wonderful on and off the stage. She shows true grace and professionalism on the stage and is such a wonderful friend offstage. She gives off a persona of true compassion for others and that’s a really valuable thing as an actress,” Lyman said.

Weird Romance is a two-act musical, featuring The Girl Who was Plugged In and Her Pilgrim Soul, with book by Alan Brennert, lyrics by David Spencer and music by Alan Menken. It ran at the Spotlight Theatre in Broadview Heights on February 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25.