From High School Stages to College Spotlight: Freshmen Shine in “Silent Sky”
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A new generation of theatrical talent is making its mark on the college stage, as evidenced by the recent performance of Ripon College freshmen Claire Luebke and Jayden Hinton in the play “Silent Sky.” The duo, who have been performing together since their high school days, are navigating the unique challenges and rewards of collegiate theater.
A Stellar Performance Based on a True Story
On the weekend of October 16th, Luebke and Hinton captivated audiences in “Silent Sky,” a play based on the remarkable true story of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt.luebke delivered a compelling performance in the lead role of Leavitt, while Hinton portrayed Peter Shaw, her love interest. The production marked a important step in their theatrical journeys, transitioning from the familiar habitat of high school productions to the demands of a college-level performance.
Both Luebke and Hinton are recent graduates of Ripon High School, where they honed their skills in numerous productions, including “Into the Woods,” “A Midsummer NightS Dream,” and “Little Women.” Their initial foray into theater was ofen spurred by encouragement from friends, but it was a genuine passion for the stage that kept them engaged.
“My sister had done it when she was in high school, so I already knew a lot of people who were in it. And then my friends that I knew dragged me into it, and then I just stayed as I loved it,” Luebke explained.
Hinton’s path to the stage was similarly influenced by peer encouragement and a natural inclination towards performance. “I’ve kind of just always liked singing and dancing. So, I was the kid in art class, and I would have headphones on. I’d be singing Frozen songs, and then I would get told to shut up…Our friend Lauren dragged me into [theater] in my sophomore year,” he recalled.
Contrasting Approaches to Character Progress
Despite their shared history, Luebke and Hinton bring distinctly different approaches to embodying their characters. Hinton identifies as a method actor, preferring to infuse his roles with his own personality and sense of humor.
“A lot of times when I’m acting, I bring my personality to the role. So, I don’t change much. I changed the character to be more like me…Kinda my twist in the character…There’s a term for it…[Stanislavsky],” Hinton said, referencing the renowned acting technique.
Luebke, conversely, emphasizes a more analytical approach, meticulously considering her character’s motivations and reactions. “I feel like I do the opposite. I like having roles that aren’t like me so that I can act more…Typically for shows,if I’m on and off stage a lot,before I come on stage,I say in my head what’s happening and how I should react to it… And I frequently enough need to remind myself that the cha
uebke and Hinton shared their favorite memories from “Silent Sky.” Hinton enjoyed injecting humor into his character, declaring, “I’m Jayden.” Luebke expressed gratitude for the opportunity to take on a significant role so early in her college career,but also recounted a especially memorable moment during the Saturday night performance. “I’m very, very grateful, very thankful, very blessed that I got to have such a large role right away. So, obviously, that’s exciting. I really liked the performances. I just thought they were fun in general,until that fly flew into my mouth,” she said with a laugh.
As they continue their theatrical journeys at Ripon College, Luebke and Hinton exemplify the dedication and talent that are shaping the future of the performing arts.
