Morgan Bramwell ‘21
Photo courtesy of Michael Leslie
A notable member of the theater and dance program at EA, Sarah Letts ‘20, is February’s Artist of the Month. Involved in groups such as Choir/Vocal Ensemble, Improv Club, Dance Team, and both the fall play and spring musical, she is known among her peers and faculty for her amiable personality and remarkable leadership skills.
Letts reflects, “What got me so involved in theater at EA wasn’t exactly a show I was in specifically, but rather a show I saw. If I remember correctly, it was Peter Pan. I remember going after the show to see some of the student actors – because my dad, obviously, worked here, so he knew some of the students – and I saw the girl who played Peter Pan and I literally treated her like a celebrity.” She lets out a small laugh. “It was one of the moments where I realized, ‘this is what I want to do.’ And then later, after seeing countless more productions at EA, I was just further motivated that this is what I want to do.”
Letts then joined the EA performance world herself, saying, “My first show at EA was Free to Be You and Me back when I was in sixth grade, and since then I’ve been involved in every show I’ve been able to be in since. I’ve really loved every minute of it so far.” Letts continues, “Everyone always says that when you do theater, you form a little family, and I think that’s completely true. I’ve formed some of the best friends I’ve ever had while doing theater. They’re the cherry on top throughout the whole experience.”
“I don’t think you’ll find a student who has been as committed as Sarah Letts has been for as many years as Sarah Letts has been committed to our program,” notes Daniel Clay, US teacher and chair of the Theater Department. “Sarah is a tremendous force in our program, not only in terms of the talent and the array of different characters that she’s played on stage, but also in all the contributions she has made behind the scenes as a member of the domino board in the Upper School and in the Harlequin Board in the Middle School. She is the quintessential team captain.”
That sentiment of Letts’ effective leadership is shared among others. Jim Erwin, US teacher and chair of the Music Department, says, “Her leadership is impeccable. She comes to choir, she is into it, completely from the first minute of class till the very end. She’s the same with Vocal Ensemble: her leadership in both groups has been just spectacular. She inspires all the kids around her.” He continues, “She seems to generally care about everyone and the ensemble itself.”
Peers and friends of Letts can only express their admiration for her. Tina Ying ‘20 states, “Sarah is one of the most positive and genuinely kind people I know. She will go out of her way to try to make everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. Working with her is honestly inspiring because you can really see how much she cares about what she is doing. Whether it is in theater or dance, it is evident how hard she works.”
Another friend, Lily Buckley ‘20 notes, “What I love about Sarah is that she is always so genuine in everything she does. She truly cares about her passions and wants others to succeed just as much. Her talent and dedication make anyone grateful to be able to perform with her. I’m so lucky to have her as my best friend.”
Similarly, Will Hopkins ‘21 says, “Sarah is the best actress you could ask for. Not only is she extremely talented, but she is also so selfless and kind. She is a joy to work alongside and she brings light to long tedious rehearsals.”
While Letts has expressed her interest in keeping theater in her life in the future, whether as a hobby or something else, her main concern is simply living these last few months in EA theater to the fullest. Letts explains, “I like the idea of spending these last months with the people that mean the most to me. I want to be able to treasure these last few moments of high school before I go off into the world and be an adult. I want to make sure that I make the most of this last show (Fiddler on the Roof, the spring musical) and I want to try to savor every moment and spend as much time as I can with my friends.” In a final reflection, Letts concludes, “Theater at EA has done a lot for me. It has really helped me grow into the person that I am today. It has helped me make some of my best friends and it really has a nice place in my heart. I’ll love it forever.”