The children in Holly Holder’s theater class at Southeast Elementary School were treated to a special guest when Tony Award-winning Broadway actress Victoria Clark held a virtual meeting on Zoom.

“My students are going to learn some acting exercises from her as well as connect back to our unit on Women’s History Month and women in theater,” said Holder.

Victoria Clark was nominated for a Tony Award in 2005 for the first time for her performance in The Light in the Piazza. She was nominated again in 2011, 2013, and 2015 for her performances in Sister Act, Cinderella, and Gigi.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity for our students,” said Rashida Yellock Principal at Southeast Elementary School.

Clark performed in numerous Broadway musicals and in film and television works.

“I really think we should go on a tour and see all of the Hollywood dresses,” said Brianna Howell, a fifth grader at Southeast Elementary School. “My question is, is it hard being a woman in an acting/directing industry.”

The zoom conversation started as Clark led the elementary students through a series of stretches and poses to get them engaged. She engaged their imagination by having them act out their favorite animal, and then she attempted to guess what they were.

Fifth grader Xavier Hayes said “I really hope she will answer my question about how do you become a director.”

The children were excited by both their famous guest, as well as the press in the room.

“It just gives them a chance to see what is outside of Kinston, NC and to see the possibility that lie in their future,” said Yellock.

Clark taught Holder at Duke, and Holder’s class got the opportunity to meet the teacher who taught her. The children were impressed that their teacher knew someone famous.