High school students are filling on-stage and behind-the-scenes roles in “Hello, Dolly!” at PlayMakers Repertory Company’s Summer Youth Conservatory. (HuthPhoto)
A high school actor at PlayMakers’ first Summer Youth Conservatory, Chelsea James ’12 directs its 20th production, “Hello, Dolly!”
Chelsea James ’12 visited PlayMakers Repertory Company for the first time in 2007 as a junior at Chapel Hill High School, the start of her full-circle journey with PlayMakers and its Summer Youth Conservatory.
Entranced by the matinee performance of “The Illusion” she watched alongside her English class, James jumped at the chance to participate in the inaugural SYC: a six-week summer program for high school students, both on stage and behind the scenes, which culminates in a professional-quality production.
A summer spent acting at a professional theater was the perfect opportunity for James, and she acted in SYC’s debut production, “Oliver!”
Nineteen years later and now an associate producer at PlayMakers, James is directing SYC’s 20th show, “Hello, Dolly!” which premiered July 16 and runs through July 26.
The journey back to PlayMakers
Participating in SYC confirmed James’ plans to pursue theater professionally and inspired her to choose Carolina for college, planting the seed for an enduring connection to PlayMakers.
“So much of the PlayMakers staff and faculty that teach in the department of dramatic art were working with us over the summer, so I really got to know the professors,” James said. “They’re just incredible artists.”
James learned from these professionals throughout her time at Carolina and was on the wardrobe crew for PlayMakers’ “Henry IV, Part 1 and 2” in fulfillment of her undergraduate practicum.
Her career started on stage but over time gave way to behind-the-scenes work. After graduating from Carolina and working as PlayMakers’ audience service associate, she earned a graduate degree in theater education from the University of Northern Colorado. This graduate work helped her understand all sides of a production, from choreography and directing to script analysis.
James completed a producing fellowship at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, D.C., before she returned to PlayMakers and worked her way up to her current associate producer position.
“Hello, Dolly!”
As an SYC participant, James spent mornings learning vocal techniques and how to embody a character and afternoons rehearsing in preparation for the production.
Now she’s helping guide high schoolers as they do the same, this year in preparation for “Hello, Dolly!” Based on the play “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder, “Hello, Dolly!” centers on Dolly Levi, a busy woman who has many side hustles — most notably as a matchmaker — to support herself following her husband’s death. The musical was famously made into a 1969 film by the same name starring Barbra Streisand.
In picking “Hello, Dolly!” as SYC’s 20th production, James started by considering which musicals the program hadn’t produced, as they’ve never repeated a show. The theater also rotates between musical sub-genres to ensure students step into varied roles. Last year, SYC performed “Pippin,” and “Hello, Dolly!” was a fitting next step in the classical direction.
“This show stood out to me because it’s a big comedy,” said James. “The costumes, sets, lights, choreography… the Paul Green is such a grand space that I wanted something we could really fill out the entire theater with.”
James and a robust team of creative professionals have worked to reimagine the show while keeping it true to form. James has dialed in on the historical significance of the late 19th century setting amid the women’s suffrage movement, using “Votes for Women” sashes on costumes and protest signs as props.
The production comes alongside two other milestones for the performing arts at Carolina. This year marks the 50th anniversary of PlayMakers and the 90th anniversary of the dramatic art department, the second-oldest program in the country.
“It’s a big year for all of us,” said James.
PlayMakers’ Summer Youth Conservatory prioritizes accessibility to a quality arts education for all. Through tuition assistance programs — from donor-supported scholarships to payment plans — PlayMakers ensures all who audition and are selected for a role can participate regardless of their financial means.
Originally published by Kate Slate, University Communications and Marketing.
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