The Howell High School Performing Arts Department is presenting D.W. Gregory’s acclaimed play “Radium Girls,” with performances set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at http://bit.ly/2ZGF1HK or at the door.
We are featuring some of the students involved in the production. Today we are featuring Ella Stocker.
1. Biographical info
Age: 17
Parents names: Tom Stocker and Diane Macdonald
Siblings: Anna Stocker and Grant Stocker
Year In school: Senior
Activities: ITS, advanced drama, choir, and the musical
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, golfing with family, cooking, listening to music and running
Future plans: Majoring in theater and/or secondary education at Eastern Michigan University
2. How did you get involved with the production?
I have been working on shows at the high school since my freshman year. During my sophomore year production of The Dining Room Mrs.Malo came to ask if I would be interested in sticking by her side for the next two years, I just got lucky enough to get a role as co-director and stage manager.
3. Have you been in any other theatrical productions? If so, what roles did you play?
Like I stated, I have been working behind the scenes since my freshman year but my first show with Howell started in 4th with The Wizard of Oz, as a munchkin, I proceeded to stick with theater and was in 2 productions for Parker middle school, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Little Mermaid, which brought me high school.
4. What do you most enjoy about being part of the production?
My favorite part of being on the production is seeing all the cast & crew so proud of themselves. Nothing is more rewarding than that, knowing my friends and peers have done the most for this show and seeing the end result is the thing I keep coming back for.
5. Who is/are your inspiration(s)? Why?
My biggest inspiration is my sister, Anna Stocker. She has always been the most leading female figure in my life and I have wanted nothing more than to walk in her footsteps. She is the most determined, passionate, and caring person I have ever known and it makes me beyond lucky to call her my sister. I am who I am because of her, I owe her everything.
6. What’s your favorite part of the experience of being in the production?
My favorite experience, thus far, has been the rehearsals when I work with my friends. When working with people my age, it is so enjoyable because I never leave a rehearsal upset on how it went because no matter what I still had a great time with my friends. That’s what being in a show is all about, building relationships and growing old ones through this beautiful experience.
7. What can audience members expect when they see the show?
Truly a beautiful story. I never knew about the radium girls until Malo had handed me the show. I think people should know more about this because it is so impactful, what these women worked for and what came out of the trials were so important to everyday working conditions now. I hope that people should pay mind to where the credit is due. I, also, hope people can take away a sense of understanding, in that your own individual fight and power can bring endless good and improvement to our full world.
