November is an exciting month for Lenoir Community College student Madison Smith of New Bern as she takes to the stage in the lead role in the production, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, at the New Bern Civic Theatre. The production is presented by the New Bern Civic Theatre and Coles Chiropractic, Massage, Acupuncture, and Reflexology.

The theatre production will be held on November 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m. and on November 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.

A West Craven High School (WCHS) graduate, Smith is studying vocal music at LCC and is working toward her Associate in Fine Arts degree. “I decided to come to LCC because of the music program,” she said. “It wasn’t my first choice because I didn’t know about the program. When deciding on where to go to college, my theatre teacher told me about the wonderful program at LCC and I decided to come here for my first two years. Jessica Cruz is my vocal coach and honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better coach and supporter.”

Upon graduation, Smith plans to transfer to a university where she hopes to continue his training in vocal music. “I also want to produce and write music. That being said, I might study music business as well as vocal music.”

But for now, Smith is playing the role of Esmeralda in Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a musical based on the 1831 novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo.

“My greatest challenge with this role has been overcoming my own thoughts. I have dealt with a lot of internal negativity causing me to hold myself back,” she said. “This whole time I've known that I am capable of doing my character and the story justice but I have had to learn how to be less critical of myself. The story is so important and timeless that messing it up would be devastating for me. However, I have had to stop focusing on the possibility of failing and run at this show full force with achievement in sight.” 

Smith said the audition was nerve racking. “But everyone, the production team and others auditioning, were inviting and pleasant. I would say that after callbacks was the most stressful several days because I couldn't stop looking at my phone waiting for a phone call. When I heard the news, I actually felt a little light headed but was filled with excitement. I called so many people that I don't even remember who was first!”

The 18-year-old is no stranger to the stage. She recently played Carmen Diaz in Fame The Musical at West Craven High School (2018) as well as Chris Hargensen in Carrie The Musical (WCHS 2019). “This past year, I also qualified to compete at The National Thespian Society Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska where I performed in musical theatre. I performed "The Wizard and I" from Wicked The Musical and scored a superior at the national level! This was one of my most exciting moments so far!” She said she would love to play Mimi in Rent in the future.

“What I love most about performing is the process and exploration,” she said. “From the very first time you look at a piece or meet as a cast to the first time you're in front of an audience. Through the process, you learn lessons and discover information about yourself from the connection to the story of the piece or show. Once you've met a character and told their story it's hard to put them down afterward because with that you're giving away a small piece of your life and heart. Even though performing can be an emotional roller coaster, it's worth all of the laughs and tears.”

Smith said the first people who got her interested in music was the combination of her mother and her cousin. “My mother bought me a small Yamaha guitar when I was young. She asked my cousin to teach me a few chords on the guitar and I fell in love,” she said. “Later when I started high school, that same cousin encouraged me to pursue theatre, but as a freshman I was nervous and apprehensive. That same year I performed a guitar cover in our school talent show where afterwards the theatre teacher approach me and encouraged me to join her program. Since then I haven't turned back.”

Smith gives credit to her high school theatre teacher, Bethany Bondurant, for encouraging her to pursue her passion. “She was the one who encouraged the shy version of myself to pursue theatre my freshman year. She pushed me to find that greatness and creativity inside of myself,” she said. “The hard work really paid off though because in my senior year I went on to perform at the national level! Without the encouragement from her and of course, my mother and family, I really wouldn't be where I am.”

As she prepares in the coming days to take to the stage, Smith said she wants to thank all of her cast members for making this experience so important for her growth as a person and a performer. 

“It is so important to find something to pour yourself into that causes you to evolve as a person. For me its theatre and the arts, for others it could be cooking or playing sport,” she said. “This story has impacted me in the way I think about the world and how we really impact one another. Even in the darkness we still have to find the light. To quote The Hunchback of Notre Dame, “At its cruelest, it’s still the only world we've got.”