She has been the voice of Elle Woods, Hope Cladwell, Miss Scarlet, Roxie Hart, Ariel, Elsa, Amy March, and Alice. But at State High, she is Hannah Smith.
Throughout her four years at State High, Smith has brought many characters to life on stage. Her voice and stage presence have entertained audiences, inspired fellow actors, and left a lasting impression on the State High community.
Finding the Stage
Smith’s journey through theater began at five years old, when she first stepped onstage. Smith was inspired by her adopted older sister, who was involved in Thespians and served as both a lead performer and choreographer.
It was in those early years of theater that she met current State High Thespians advisor, Lilly Wasser, and even then, Smith stood out.
“I met Hannah when she was in elementary school, and she has always been just a ray of positivity and sunshine. I know that is like a very cliche statement, but she really has just always brightened the room, whether she is with other kids or adults, she just has that ray of kindness to her,” Wasser said.
Although theater had always been part of her life, it was not her only passion growing up.
“My dad played professional basketball. There is no one in my family who has done musical theater. I kind of just started doing that on my own. I have always loved basketball, and my dad was really into it. I would try to do both at the same time,” Smith said. “In my freshman year, it got to the point where I could not do both anymore. I had to kind of choose one.”
Smith ultimately chose theater. “I have so much passion for musical theater. I have really found a home in it, and it just helps express who I am,” she said.
“I love being able to dive into a character and get out of my comfort zone. It is so interesting to study someone you never really think about and get to be in their shoes. It teaches you a lot about empathy and how to treat other people. I have learned some amazing life lessons from theater, but getting to portray another person on stage and have the audience fall in love with that character is just so meaningful,” Smith said.
Smith’s first lead role was with State College Community Theater, where they performed “Footloose.” Smith got to play Ariel. Since then, Smith has performed over 75 additional shows. The photos below feature Smith’s early years on stage.
In the Spotlight
As soon as the curtain opens, audience members are immediately drawn to the talent and energy Smith brings to every performance. Seated in the audience, it becomes clear that watching Smith feels like watching a shining light on stage.
“She brings an energy that, no matter what role she is in, it is easy to believe her, whether she was Miss Scarlet in “Clue” this fall or Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde”. Those are two completely different roles, and we knew we could trust her with them and that she would just sell an amazing performance,” Wasser said.
Beyond individual roles, her musical abilities are noticed just as much by her teachers as by the audience. Listeners may notice her extensive range, choreographed movements, and facial expressions that bring her role to life.
“She is very expressive in performance. She is always projecting energy, which is really important as a musician, an actor, and across all the facets of performance,” State High Choir teacher Erik Clayton said
Through the spotlight, Smith has made lifelong friends and developed relationships that extend beyond the stage. After each performance, she values the opportunity to celebrate the friendships she has formed through theater and the shared passion for musical theater.
Smith first met freshman Thespian member Gabriella Krentzman at Singing on State and had the opportunity to work with her again during the “Legally Blonde” performance. “She has always been a role model of mine. She has always brought such positive energy to rehearsal,” Krentzman said.
Senior Thespian member Tim Letwin also met Hannah at Singing on Stage, and since then, the pair has been in countless performances together. “She has an incredible passion for music and theater, and it is great to be able to work with her so closely,” Letwin said.
“You are in amazement when you watch her, because she is so good at what she does, and she is so incredibly talented,” sophomore Thespians crew member Riley Sivlis said.
Smith’s notable shows include “Clue,” “Urinetown,” “Descendants,” “Chicago,” and “Frozen,” but her ultimate favorite was “Legally Blonde,” which she performed this February.
“Elle Woods has been my dream role since I was 10. I went and saw a Penn State production of it, and I just fell in love with the show. I fell in love with the character. I just related to her so closely throughout my whole life,” Smith said. “This has been my favorite role I have ever played.” Photos from “Legally Blonde” are featured below.
In the Choir Room
In addition to musical theater, Smith is involved in many of the State High Choirs. In ninth grade, Smith started in the ninth-grade choir and quickly moved up to Treble Makers. Smith has been involved in Master Singers from 10th to 12th grade. She has been active in Chamber Singers in 11th and 12th grade, and played an active part in delivering Vocal Valentines. Alongside performing, she is a choir PR officer tasked with creating all social media posts and advertisements for concerts.
Each year, Master Singers offers students the opportunity to conduct a piece of their choosing. The class selects the top two conductors, who are then tasked with selecting the repertoire, planning the rehearsals, and executing the performance.
“It is a big undertaking because you are kind of learning on the fly and applying what you have done already. And wondering what do I listen for? They are adding the conducting gesture. There are so many things with the organization [of the performance],” Clayton said.
For this year’s Maroon and Gray concert, Smith and fellow senior Anthony Shue were selected as leaders.
“Hannah’s one of the greatest singers we have in choir. She always brings the same amount of joy wherever she goes, especially to choir. It takes somebody with a lot of passion to give it 100% every single time. That is exactly what Hannah does, and what she encouraged others to do, too,” Shue said.
“The experience was just truly unbelievable, because you really can not get that anywhere else. No other school does that kind of thing,” Smith said.
Outside the Theater
Outside of performing, Smith has been president of Thespains in her junior and senior years.
“I think that shows how much her peers respect her to be elected, both as a junior and as a senior. I have seen her lead exceptionally well. I think it is really hard to be an authority figure to your peers and to your friends. It can get really complicated sometimes, but I have seen her lead with grace, compassion, and honesty in every situation,” Wasser said.
Clayton also attested to her leadership skills. “She inspires people to want to do their best for her, and I think that is really important as a leader,” he said.
Smith is also the Talent Director for WSCH, an employee at Chick-fil-A, a member of the National Honor Society, a club basketball player, and a part of a Bible Study group.
Stepping off the State High Stage
As the curtain closes on Smith’s State High Thespians journey, a new act begins as Smith looks to explore ways to grow her musical theater career in college.
“I have been auditioning for BFA musical theater programs at different colleges around the country. It is a big process, and I have gone all over. It has been such an amazing experience,” Smith said. “I am fairly positive that I will end up majoring in musical theater in college.”
Each standing ovation she receives is not only a testament to her outstanding talent and performance but also to the positivity and commitment she brings to every rehearsal, practice, and show. Her presence both on and off stage will be greatly missed at State High, but there is no doubt that Smith will become the next leading light of her next program.
