The Hartland High School Drama Club presents the musical “Honk!” Friday through Sunday, April 22-24, and April 29-May 1, at Hartland High School (HHS), 10635 Dunham Road in Hartland. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 24, at 1:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 1, at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.hartlanddramaclub.com and at the door. Individual tickets purchased in advance are $16 for adults and $14 for students, children and seniors. Tickets purchased at the door are $18 for adults and $16 for students, children and seniors. Group rates are also available.
Until opening night, we are featuring one of the cast members of this production. Today, we feature Makenna Usher.
A global pandemic may have pressed “pause” on Makenna Usher’s Hartland Drama Club’s experience, but the Hartland High School junior is more than ready to share her love of performing as she takes on the lead role of Ida in “Honk!”
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved story, “The Ugly Duckling,” the club’s spring musical not only gives Usher the opportunity to showcase her acting, singing, and dancing talents as she portrays a protective mother duck, but also to work alongside her father, director Scott Usher.
We reached out to Usher to ask her about her experience with the heartwarming production.
How has your participation in Hartland Drama Club affected your high school experience?
By joining Drama Club, I have had much more fun in high school. I planned to join during my freshman year, but wasn’t able to do so because of COVID. Last year, my sophomore year, I still wasn’t able to actually join because clubs were not meeting. This year, I finally got the chance to join, and I’m so glad I did. It is the best club there is and definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made in high school!
How would you describe your character and her unique traits?
Ida is a very motherly and kind person, but you don’t want to mess with her. She doesn’t see people through their looks, but rather through their personality. She is very respected throughout the lake for her loving and motivating traits.
Would you be friends with your character in real life? Why or why not?
Most definitely! Ida would be an amazing friend to have because of how kind and wonderful she is. I know she’d deeply care for me and never let me down.
What do you hope audiences will take away from this production?
I hope the audience will truly understand that it’s okay to be different. “Out there somewhere, someone’s gonna love ya;” you just have to “Hold Your Head Up High” and you’ll soon realize that “you’re a swan!”
What advice would you give to your character, and what advice would they give to you?
I’m not sure Ida would need any advice, but I know she’d tell me to “Hold Your Head Up High.” At times, life will be tough, but you will make it through.
What is your theater background? Did you get involved as a child, or is it more of a recent pursuit?
I have always been a part of the theater. My family often jokes about my first show being at 5 months old, when I was carried across the stage in “Oliver.” “Honk!” is the 11th play I’ve been a part of, and my second lead character. I was Jane Banks in “Mary Poppins” in 2015. I was a featured dancer in two shows after that, and then took a small break from theater to focus on dance. I am so excited to be back into the theater again!
What extracurriculars and/or clubs are you involved with in addition to Hartland Drama Club?
I have danced at Maria’s School of Dance in Fowlerville since I was 3 years old, and have been on the competitive team, Dance Express, since I was 7. In addition to dance, I am also a part of both the Hartland band and choir programs. I play flute and trumpet, and I’m also a drum major with the marching band. I am in the school’s top choir and take vocal lessons with Sally Mikat outside of choir.
What will you remember most about your experience with this show?
The most memorable part of my experience with “Honk!” is all of the friendships that have grown from it. The cast truly feels more like a family, and I don’t want the show to end because of this.
