The auditions for this spring’s musical, “Little Women”, have begun, running from Tuesday, Jan. 19 through Thursday, Jan.21. The “Little Women” musical is based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. The musical follows the four March sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and their mother Marmee, as they give to others despite being in poverty themselves. It is a coming of age story for the four sisters as they begin to follow their ambitions while their father serves as a Chaplain in the Civil War. 

One student auditioning for the musical is freshman Kalainey Nickel.

 “I’m not really auditioning for any role in particular,” Nickel said. “I, of course, would love to be one of the more lead roles like Amy, but being a freshman and less experienced I would love to be Beth or Meg.”

There are many reasons that the story of “Little Women” has become a classic. “I really love this musical selection because of the wide range of female roles. Many musicals or any other productions have women as housewives or the strong-willed kind. Little women shows you the lives of many different women in different stages of their lives with different views on how life should be lived. The range of personalities is incredible,” Nickel said.

Nickel’s prior theatre experience at LSE includes two of the student-directed One Act pieces last semester. 

“Though I don’t have a ton of experience, just the two shows I put on last fall have already taught me so much,” Nickel said. “In Watermelon Boats, I had to develop this character who started her life so self-assured and proud of herself, who grew into an adult who was scared and insecure. She had to realize that just having her best friend with her the entire way was what could hold her together and keep her moving forward.”

Nickel said that she prepares for auditions “by getting a good night’s sleep, showering, and eating breakfast. A lot of people don’t realize how much eating breakfast can do for your body. I bring plenty of water in preparation, and then it’s showtime.”