One of our very own Darien High School students represented our town at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After years of practice and dedication to the arts, senior Hannah Caldwell got the privilege of performing in an event known around the world.
Her motivation and enthusiasm is contagious,” senior Laura Powis said. Hannah is known at DHS as a member of Theatre 308 and the Tudor Singers, and as a personable, outgoing friend and leader.
“I don’t know that I could just pick one idol” Hannah said. Caldwell was mostly inspired by her mother who is a music professor and bought her into the performing arts as it has been in her household.
“One of my Audrey Hepburn quotes is ‘The most important thing is to enjoy your life – be happy – it’s all that matters.’”
Hannah shows her spirit for performing arts and was lucky enough to show her personable talent at the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade this year.
The parade was life-changing for Hannah.
“Seeing all those people who have come out to see you is such an amazing feeling,” Caldwell said.
This past summer Hannah attended the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts camp in New York. This is a well-known arts camp and one of the only camps in the world that offers these opportunities. Every day at Stagedoor is filled with rigorous classes, and rehearsals.
This marked the third year that Stagedoor has given the opportunity to allow students to apply for the parade. Hannah was given the opportunity to audition for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade out of 400 applicants. Caldwell was one of the lucky 150 dancers to be selected out of the camp.
Hannah commuted into the City only a few times in order to record and practice the song for the big day. Along with 20 other campers, Hannah recorded the song in the same recording studio as Broadway actors. This was a privilege for Hannah because something that influenced her to get involved in the arts was “going to see plays and concerts and recitals and wishing I were the one on stage” Hannah said.
Before the parade the dancers had only learned the moves the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (11/22) therefore had to face the challenge of keeping up with and remembering the hard choreography. Hannah stayed out in Macy’s star, in Herald Square, practicing in the rain for an hour and a half in order to perfect her moves.
“Her bubbly character is shown in her songs, her soul shines” senior Nina Preston adds. Nina says that Hannah’s optimistic attitude is shown in everything that she does, including performing. Hannah is known for her bubbly and positive attitude.
“She has a reserved harnessed tone but she shows her personality," Preston adds.
Hannah has been in Tudors since her sophomore year and is currently the Librarian, which is one of the five officers. She is also the Vice President of Theatre 308 this year. In the past fall production of Dracula Hannah enjoyed being the vampire bride because she “got to be so over the top.” Hannah was also a make up designer for Dracula which was another opportunity to show her artistic abilities.
“What’s not to love? The arts have a little bit of everything” Hannah said about her love for performing.
Music and theatre stepped into Hannah’s life nine years ago and made an incredibly life changing impression on her, which she never intends to let go of. “Hannah is professional when needed in [her roles] but also fun to be around when needed too” Preston commented.
Be sure to check out Hannah and her known acting in this coming spring production, West Side Story.
