Stepping Into Hallie’s Boots: One Actress’s Final Role (for Now)

This month I had the privilege of portraying the role of Hallie in The Man Who

Shot Liberty Valance. This is not my first involvement with Hub City Theatre Co. In fact, I

performed in the first play HCTC produced in 2023. I played Mother Miriam in Agnes of

God, and since then I’ve watched Hub City Theatre thrive and grow in popularity in

Jackson and the surrounding areas. I’m so glad that I’ve been able to support HCTC by

performing and being an audience member for their shows.

I’ve been acting in plays since I was nine years old. Although I have been in

around 40 plays since I started my journey in theatre, The Man Who Shot Liberty

Valance is only the second play in which I have had the opportunity to be a main

character. I am often cast in supporting roles because I love portraying weird and quirky

characters and supporting characters in plays tend to have funny and off-beat

personalities. However, the best part about Hallie as a character is that she is quirky,

despite being a main character.

I enjoyed changing my voice to match her western twang, and though I try not to

cuss in real life it was fun getting to have a bit of a potty mouth as Hallie. The character

of Hallie is truly a dream role because she’s so dynamic. She experiences every

emotion in the play; she starts out with a flippant and humorous disposition, and by the

end of the play she experiences anger, grief, and a bit of romance too. As she becomes

more educated in the story, she eventually stops cussing and even drops the accent.

But the part of Hallie was only fun to play because I had great co-stars to act

alongside with. This was my first time playing a romantic role onstage and I was

understandably a little nervous about that when rehearsals began. Fortunately, I

couldn’t have asked for two better actors be in a love triangle with onstage. Jake Beals,

who portrayed Ransome Foster, was always fun to talk to and I enjoyed an easy

onstage chemistry with him throughout the play. He talked me through the romantic

parts in the play and always made me feel at ease. John Klonowski, who played the role

of Bert Barricune, was also very understanding of my apprehension at times, and

encouraged me to do whatever felt most comfortable for me.

I feel so honored that I was able to work with such fantastic actors. Jim, played

by Steve Williams, was a lovable character who brought the audience to tears at the

end of his performance. And although I was never able to act alongside him onstage,

Blake Staples, who played Liberty Valance, gave a show-stopping performance and

helped bring this community theatre play to the next level.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was directed by David Burke, retired theatre

professor from Union University. If you investigate the cast and crew of this play, you

would find that many (including myself) are alumni of the theatre program at Union.

Burke’s passion for theatre and his desire to bring glory to God through his art continues

to inspire audiences and students of theatre. I am thankful that I have been able to be a

part of not only this play, but Agnes of God that was also directed by Burke after his

retirement. He says that The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance will probably be the last

play he directs, and if that is the case I hope I have helped to make it the best play he’s

ever directed. But if he decides to direct another play, I’ll be prepared to audition.

Before I bring this blog to a close, I would hate not to mention the one thing that

caused me to work harder, but also made the pay-off at performance time that much

sweeter. Two days after the cast list was sent out, I found out I was pregnant. Despite

the fatigue and nausea, I pushed through and overcame pregnancy brain because ‘the

show must go on.’ As the play ends, I am approaching the second trimester. Knowing

that this is the last play I’ll get to be in for awhile has helped me to savor the process

and enjoy the applause a little bit more. Who knows? Maybe this baby is destined for

the stage too!