By LAURA BROOKHART \ Community Columnist
Kaitlyn Creel, a senior at Helena High School, recently chose to become a cast member of the haunted Warehouse 31 performances.
Creel, who is in show choir and theatre at HHS, also has the role of Officer Brophy in the first HHS play, Arsenic and Old Lace.
Kaitlyn, along with her mother, Sharon Creel, is also a member of Notinee, an Indian dancing troop that performs Manipuri/Odissi folk fusion dance.
“Warehouse31 encompasses things I love,” said Creel, ”Halloween, acting and dressing up.”
“The moment I walked in the door, the energy was overwhelmingly positive. I got to try acting in a few different scenes and take a few scare workshops before the season started. Now I have my set roles and we are in business!”
“Even though I am a volunteer and the nights can run late—often past midnight—it is completely worth it. It can get exhausting, and you have to really take care of yourself and constantly check up on the other actors around you. We have each other’s backs.”
Cameron and Jodi Smith are the makeup artists for Warehouse31. Together, they run Undertaking FX.
Creel says her main role is playing the angsty, punk rock teen in the doll room.
“I can relate to my character a lot; from when I was very little all the way to present day. I grew up being bullied for being different and often felt misunderstood. My character is trapped in a stereotypical girl’s room as well as trapped inside her self emotionally,” Creel said.
Creel said she would like to intern at Disney after graduation (Disney College Program) and work her way up to becoming a parade performer or a character. After that experience, she plans to work towards a degree in Elementary Education.