‘Ariel’ a rebellious teen in ‘Footloose’

The leading lady of Mt. Hood’s winter musical, “Footloose,” Sydney Hope, plays a rebellious teenager named Ariel who is trying to find herself while simultaneously attempting to please the adults in her life.

Last year, Hope played Nurse Ratched in MHCC’s production of “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.”

That was a bit of a change-up from her current fun, outgoing character. “Going from a villain to this character that I portray, is definitely a completely different experience,” she said.

Hope draws from her character in “Footloose” a deeper connection to the story and her own life.

“Ariel is interesting because she’s trying to be both the good daughter and be rebellious at the same time,” she said. “She wants to live her dream, she doesn’t want to stay in Beaumont (Texas) all the time, she wants to find someone to love. So, I think I bring her motivation and her passion.”

Hope started singing at age 8, but despite all the years of experience, the music styles within “Footloose” are different than what she’s used to. “This music is kind of out of my ordinary. I’m actually a classically trained singer so going from that — like opera and classical Broadway — to this, it was bit of an adjustment. But, I picked it up,” she said.

“I love the music. It adds something to it, it adds more emotion, more energy.”

Learning the dances has been a long process. When she first started, she said she felt like she had “two left feet,” but she has been practicing nonstop to prepare for opening night.

“I practice literally every day; I practice at the bus stop… I practice on the way to class,” Hope said. “Any chance I can practice, I’m dancing out those numbers and making sure I’m on the beats. It’s a lot of work.”

Singing, dancing and acting at the same time is more difficult then it looks, she said. “You have to make sure you’re in character, that you’re paying attention to other people. But, it all comes together and becomes something incredible.”

As a theatre major, Hope’s dream is to transfer to a school in or around New York. “Broadway, all the big billboards, Times Square, all that, I want it,” she said.

She said she has grown from her on-stage experience.

“I think acting has forced me to be out of my comfort zone numerous amounts of times, especially with Ariel because she’s so outgoing and she’s so outspoken. You can’t be afraid of what people think of her… You can’t think like that with her, and I really respect her for that,” she said.

Hope feels a personal connection to Ariel’s character. “When I read the script it was actually surprising how much her and I are alike,” she said. “The relationship with her and her dad, it’s really hard and I definitely relate, because I’ve had a falling out with my father and we don’t talk anymore cause of things that he did. So, you know, there’s always that longing.”

She said her favorite musical number in the play is “I’m Free.”

“It’s the whole cast, it’s the parents against the kids; it’s so cool and so epic,” she said. She also enjoys “I Need A Hero” because it’s Ariel’s own number. “It’s all me up there,” she explained.

“I’ve grown a lot in this play, because I was given the opportunity to go out there on my own and choreograph it myself and so that was a big step for me,” Hope said of the solo.

The most nerve-wracking moment of all just might be the many on-stage kisses she will give, both with the characters Ren (played by Luke Swearengin) and Chuck (played by Drew Pierce).

“Just thinking about it is making me, like, all giddy,” Hope said with a laugh.

“I have a thing with kissing people that just I cant stop smiling; my stomach is like I’m bursting with joy,” she said. “But it’s better to have someone that you’re comfortable with than to have to do those with someone you don’t even like. So I’m very fortunate to have two guys who are both very talented and who I’m very comfortable with.

“The fact that you have to practice kissing, it’s a funny term,” she said.

“Footloose” opens at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21. Tickets are $10 for students in advance, $12 at the door. Advance tickets for adults are $12, $15 at the door.