Student Spotlight: McClure Student Takes On Gender-Bending Theater Role

Avery Denning has a high voice, red hair, and a feminine smile. When being cast for Charlie in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, this girlish charm must have been what the directors were looking for.

Denning sat down with Patch to discuss her biggest role, and the past, present and hopeful future of her acting career.

The play premiers June 9th, and continues daily until the 11th at the Hinsdale Community House Theatre. Denning appears in the shows on the 10th and 12th. (visit here for tickets and showtimes.)

Patch: How did you get involved with the play?

Avery: "Some of my friends were involved with the company, Stage Door Fine Arts, and they all told me to audition. We had to sing excerpts from songs, and I got a call back. At the call back, we were told to sing for the part they saw us in, and I ended up singing for the part of Charlie. I kept thinking that it was just a fluke, but then they sent out the audition list and it turned out that I got Charlie!"

How did you feel when you got the lead?

"I was really excited. A friend told me at school, and at first I thought he was just messing with me. Later, my mom texted me that I did Charlie and I was over the moon."

What's it like playing a guy?

"Its hard! [Laughs]. I have to stand like a guy, like when other people are talking I have to focus on not standing like a girl with my hands on my hips. I have to wear a hair net, too! I have to walk like a guy, which should be easy because I'm tall, but Charlie is supposed to be really awkward so it's kind of hard. It's a cool experience."

Are there any weird adaptions you have to do with your voice?

"I don't really have to talk differently because Charlie is young and his voice is still higher. Singing is harder because I have such a high voice, so I do have to lower that a bit."

Seems like a tall order. Don't you get nervous?

"People always ask me about feeling nervous, but that's what I love most about it! There's going to be a hundred or more people in the audience for this show, but I love the butterflies. It's my favorite part of the experience. Once you're on stage, you forget."

How long have you been acting for?

"I've been in theatre since second grade. I did Lyle Lyle Crocodile and had one of the two leading roles in the show. I was also in Princess and the Pea as a supporting lead. Those were my biggest parts, and in all other shows I've had small solos or been in the ensemble. This is my biggest part so far."

What are your goals going forward?

"I want to keep going forward with Stage Door, and try out for the McClure plays which I hope to get a big role in. I'm thinking of making acting my carrer, it's so much fun- if this is what it's always like then this is what I want to do."

How did you originally get involved with theatre and acting?

"My mom, from the moment I was born, knew I was dramatic. My parents would always say to me that I was going to be an actress. I wanted to do the Theatre of Western Springs, and I started doing classes and summer camp. When I was up there performing, thought, 'this is what I want to do.'"