A Jamestown native will take to the stage of the Cumberland County Playhouse in the new production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
The Playhouse cast actress Vesper McNellis as Hermey the Misfit Elf in the holiday show. McNellis said she is proud to represent Fentress County on stage. McNellis said she began volunteering with the Playhouse two years and that put her on the right path.
“It gives opportunities for me and for other people who are interested in theater,” McNellis said. “They can see that someone just from the town or the town over can follow their dreams and become an actress as well.”
McNellis said she has continued acting with the Playhouse. McNellis said she takes classes through the Playhouse to better her acting technique.
“Hermey is an amazing opportunity for me,” McNellis said. “I didn’t think that I would get that role, then I got called back for it, and I ended up landing the role, and it was the best feeling ever.”
McNellis said the classes teach vocals, dance and further musical theater knowledge for actors. McNellis said she has grown as an actress through the Playhouse classes, furthering her performance abilities and investing in herself as an actress. McNellis said she has benefited from her singing lessons, appreciating her singing instructor.
“They have really helped me a lot,” McNellis said. “Instead of just jumping into doing a show, it was, it helped to prepare me for the shows and the plays, and the process behind the plays.”
McNellis said her passion for theater came from a young age, having been immersed in the arts from her formative years. McNellis said her mother introduced her to theater, supporting her love for shows and productions.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will continue production through December