Sophomore Riley Barbee has been performing in local productions for the past 7 years. While remaining an exemplary WHS student—involving herself in academics, the choir, and WTC productions—Barbee takes on starring roles in beloved shows; having recently acted in “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Les Misérables” as the leading lady, she’s made a name for herself across many theater companies. A star under the spotlights, Barbee offers insight into her world of theater.
How did you get into acting?
When I was nine years old, my friend told me they were auditioning for Jungle Book Jr. at the Downriver Actors Guild. I was interested in joining, and, with my parent’s encouragement, I ended up auditioning. Ever since that show, I’ve been in love with theater, and have been regularly involved in it.
Tell me about the audition process for you.
The audition process is definitely one of the most important steps of being in a production. It’s the production staff’s first impression of you, so practice is super important. I always run the audition cuts of music many times before an audition. I am lucky enough to have a vocal coach and choir teacher that I can practice the music audition cuts with and get feedback, so usually do that a few times before the audition occurs. I also usually watch the movie version of whatever show I’m auditioning for beforehand, just to get a feel for the show.
How do you prepare for a role leading up to auditions? What does preparation look like when you get cast?
If there is a book the musical I’m performing in is based off of, I try to read as much of it as I can and annotate sections where my role is present. If the musical is based off a movie, or a movie is based off the musical, I try to watch it several times during the rehearsal process. It is also very helpful for me to listen to the soundtrack regularly, inside and outside of rehearsals. All of these techniques really help with memorization and getting a feel for the show.
What aspect of performance do you love?
My favorite aspect of the performance is opening night: where the show finally comes to life. There is something really magical about watching a show that so many people have poured their hearts into for months finally come alive onstage. It is where everyone’s hard work finally gets to shine, and I think that’s pretty special.
You recently finished your second show run as Christine from “Phantom of the Opera,” how did it feel to reprise the role? Did your previous knowledge change your experience?
Both of my experiences performing as Christine have been unforgettable, and opportunities I will forever be thankful for. They have been such rewarding processes, and I have learned so much from each. For my second run, already knowing all of Christine’s music definitely made the memorization process easier and allowed for me to focus on specific vocal techniques more. However, I really missed going through and learning all of the songs of the show like I did in my first run. Overall, the experiences were different, but it’s impossible for me to pick a favorite. I hold them both very near and dear to my heart.
How does your experience in WHS productions and your experience in community theater compare?
In community theater, there are many more various casts and production staff that you get to work with. Depending on the city or theater company you choose to participate in, you end up with a completely different crowd every time, which is very exciting. On the other hand, with WHS, there’s the comfort of building long-term relationships with the company, production staff, and cast. You are with the same group of amazing people for sometimes up to four years, rather than just a few months.
Who is your dream role and why?
Ever since I first joined theater, my dream role has always been Christine Daeé in “The Phantom of The Opera.” I am extremely grateful, for I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to perform the role twice—once in February of 2023 and once in April of 2024. As a coloratura soprano, my voice type aligns with Christine’s, making her music very fun to sing. Additionally, the entire score of Phantom is incredibly beautiful, which makes it an even more entrancing show and dream to perform.
How does acting fit into your life as you get older? Have you considered joining professional productions or film acting?
I definitely want to continue acting and keep performing arts in my life as I get older. A goal of mine is to become a part of some college, and eventually professional, productions. I’m not exactly sure what I want to pursue as a career yet, but performing arts is definitely an option I am heavily considering.
How does acting affect your life? What have you gained from the experience that may seem unexpected?
In acting, I have obviously learned many lessons surrounding the world of theater, but those lessons, surprisingly, also have a lot of applications to other parts of my life. The dedication, trust, and professionalism I have learned in theater have not only made me a better performer, but they have also made me a better student, friend, etc. The experiences you will have and the lessons you will learn through joining theater will truly benefit you in all aspects of life.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to join the theater?
The advice I would give to someone wanting to join theater: do it. Honestly, the friendships and relationships you build with new people—not just your current friends—will forever change your life for the better. Many of my current best friends are people who I met through theater, which I am very grateful for. Not only are the friendships gratifying, but the professional connections you make in the industry are extremely important. Whether you audition for a musical, a play, for an ensemble, for a lead, or join crew, these friendships and connections will always happen, making it a very beneficial extracurricular to be a part of.