HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA: Hume-Fogg's Darby Kolwyck

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, Tony Morton, Ross Bolen, Brittany Anderson, Brenda Gregory, Tara Deason Winton, Holly Shepherd Urbanowicz 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.

Next up for Daron Bruce's students involved in theater at Hume-Fogg Academic High Schools (one of the nation's highest rated secondary schools) is a much-anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, running November 5-7 at the iconic and historic high school, located on Broadway naturally - in downtown Nashville. Taking on the challenging role of Mrs. Lovett in the school edition of Sondheim's musical is Darby Kolwyck, a talented student with an already enviable resume: She's played Rusty in Act Too's Footloose and was part of HFA's acclaimed production of Cabaret.

Darby Kolwyck is a name you should be sure to remember - you're likely to hear it more and more often as the years go by - and we can attest to the fact that she's skilled, talented, charming, poised and wise beyond her years. In short, she's an impressive young woman. Here is your chance to get to know her better, via this freshest edition of High School Drama...then score her some tickets to Hamilton on Broadway...

What's your theatrical goal in life? My theatrical goal in life is to be a part of productions that make the audience experience emotions that spark a sense of power. I think one of the most important aspects of theatre is its ability to enact change, and promote thoughtful discussions on difficult topics. As long as I am working on shows that spark thoughtfulness, my theatrical goal will be fulfilled. My goal professionally is to go to college to study theatre and familiarize myself with different acting techniques, and learn more about the creative process of performance.

If you could play any role in any show...what would you choose? If you had asked me before I got cast as Mrs. Lovett at Hume Fogg, I would have undoubtedly said Mrs. Lovett for my dream role. But since I have the chance to play her, I would say my next dream role would be Fantine in Les Miserables or Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

What's been your best theatrical experience to date? My best theatrical experience to date is without a doubt performing "For Now" from Avenue Q. This song made me feel the happiest I had ever felt, it was truly such a motivating and quirky way to wrap up a show. The lyrics were so carefree yet powerful. This scene always left me with a feeling of child-like joy.

Who are your favorite actors? My favorite actors are Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio.

What show that you've never seen would you most like to see? I would really love to see Hamilton on Broadway.

About Sweeney Todd @ Hume-Fogg Academic High School Theatre Department, Nashville: Sweeney Todd School Edition, running through November 7. www.hfatheatre.com Directed by 2014 First Night Honoree Daron Bruce, vocal music direction by Lisa Forbis and choreographed by 2011 First Night Honoree Pam Atha (and with a set by 2012 First Night Star Award winner Jim Manning).

Sweeney Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony Awards (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere and has now been adapted for high school performers in Sweeney Todd School Edition. Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler (A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures) crafted a tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat that has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world. An infamous tale,

Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to 19th century London seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up, and the carnage has only just begun! Reserved seats are $13 at the website; general admission seats are $10 for adults, $5 for students and are sold half an hour before curtain. This special School Edition has been masterfully adapted, working directly with Mr. Sondheim, to retain the dark wit and grand scope of the original work, with a few lyric and key changes to facilitate high school productions. At the show's core is a challenging score of epic proportion with two tasty tour de force roles in Sweeney and his comic female accomplice Mrs. Lovett.

Sweeney Todd and headshot photos by Rick Malkin