Sophomore Kaitlyn Fields earned the understudy for the lead role in the upcoming fall musical “Hairspray”. Fields is participating in the show and having the honor of being the backup for Tracy Turnblad. She works for three hours everyday in both dance choreography and vocal rehearsal to prepare herself for the possibility of going on as the lead. Leading up to the show will be hours of preparation, costume malfunctions, and pounds of makeup but the end result will be something Fields never forgets.

Q: TP How many people were called back for the role of Tracy?

A: KF Three people were called back for the role of Tracy.

Q: TP How much confidence did you have that you would get the understudy or the lead role?

A: KF Um, like on a scale of 1-10 probably like a 7 ½.

Q: TP Having gotten the understudy, how much work do you have to put into learning the part and becoming Tracy?

A: KF I have to put in a lot of effort in case Rachel gets sick one day. I need to be prepared and know the music and lines, not be improving.

Q: TP How difficult is it to learn the dances and sing Tracy’s parts at the same time?

A: KF It honestly depends on the song, but ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ I feel like I’m dying.

Q: TP Has Tracy ever been a dream role for you as a kid?

A: KF Yes! Tracy has always been a dream role of mine since I was little.

Q: TP What’s your favorite thing about the musical Hairspray?

A: KF I don’t know but I feel like there is something. I really enjoy everything. I can’t pick a favorite.

Q: TP In what ways do you compare and relate to Tracy?

A: KF I’m a bigger teenage girl who often gets left out of things that skinny people get to do.

Q: TP How many musicals have you been apart of in the past?

A: KF This will be my fourth. I’ve been in Schoolhouse Rock Live Junior, Pippin, and Mary Poppins.

Q: TP Do you plan on pursuing theatre for college?

A: KF I might but I’m not sure.

Q: TP Can you tell me how you would react if you were to have to go on for one of the shows?

A: KF If I got notice I would be fine, but if it was the day of the show I would probably have a panic attack honestly. I’m such a procrastinator.

Q: TP What are your thoughts on understudies importance in shows?

A: KF Well the people who get the leads honestly work their butt off and so do understudies. One time I read an article on the importance of understudies, and I think just the importance is being able to perform things last minute. They really need to be on top of their game and be ready to go on in the show.

Q: TP Tell me about the way rehearsal works for an understudy.

A: KF Well for dancing and blocking I stand behind Rachel and mirror whatever she does and for singing I just sing with her to learn the part.

Q: TP Will there be any sort of understudy show for Hairspray?

A: KF I’m not sure but I’m thinking about talking to director Swezey and seeing if he’ll let one happen.

Q: TP Has getting Tracy’s understudy boosted your confidence for future shows at South?

A: KF Yes definitely.

Q: TP How confident did you feel about your audition for Hairspray?

A: KF Well I auditioned for a different character than the one I got called back for, but for the character I got called back for I was probably a 6 out of 10 because i didn’t know the song well. I feel like if I would’ve auditioned for Tracy i would’ve been like a 7 ½.