Spotlight on... Hannah Hastings!

Hannah (Top left) as "The Butler" in
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at
Andover High School, 2005

Name? 
Hannah Vasconcellos Hastings



Character? 
Christopher



Why acting? 
I act because it allows me to go outside of myself. I get to explore my inner thoughts, inhibitions, and emotions through a character.



How and why did you get involved with Some Mother's Son? 
I decided to audition for Some Mother's Son because I was intrigued by the plot. I also had the opportunity to work with Kendra Arimoto through the 24 Hour Play Festival and knew she would be a fabulous director to work with.

What has surprised, inspired, excited, and/or challenged you most throughout the process thus far? 

I have been most challenged and inspired by all of the ensemble work we started out the process with. I had never done such rigorous ensemble building before and it challenged me to quickly break down my barriers and inhibitions. It built a closeness between myself and my fellow actors that enabled me to delve quickly into the play.

What is your favorite word? 
Precarious

Hannah (Center( as "Frederick Fleet" in
Titanic the Musical at Andover High School 2007

What is your least favorite word? 
Kill



What turns you on? 
My girlfriend's eyes



What turns you off? 
Laziness



What sound or noise do you love? 
My girlfriend's laugh



What sound or noise do you hate? 
Windpants swishing



What is your favorite curse word? 
Motherfucker



What is something you want to do during your life? 
Ride a horse on the beach

Earliest memory of theatre? 
Getting measured for costumes for Jack and the Bean Stalk when I was 7



Why is theatre necessary? 
Theatre is necessary for self expression and exposure of the public to issues, history, and human emotion. It can be used as a tool for the oppressed to give them a venue to make their grievances known and gain support. Theatre creates an intimacy between actors and the audience that is so lacking in our world of technology and isolation.

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Hannah Vasconcellos Hastings is from Andover, MA and is a Junior majoring in Government and Portuguese and Brazilian Studies and Smith College. She is playing the role of Christopher. Hannah has been acting since she was in third grade and has greatly enjoyed returning to the theater through various opportunities at Smith. This is Hannah's third appearance on the stage at Smith. Last year she participated in the 24 hour play festival and Henry V. Christopher is her first major role in her time at Smith and the challenge of playing a young boy is one that she is greatly enjoying. Outside of theater, Hannah enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee for Smith's club team, Lunadisc, and spending time with her wonderful girlfriend and friends. While at school she greatly misses her loving and supportive parents, two older sisters, and dog. This summer she hopes to travel to South America or Europe to pursue her interests in development and sustainability. She loves the ocean, reading, cooking, cuddling,dancing and singing.