By Esa Mills
for the Salisbury Post
D rama is almost certain to be a part of a high school student’s life. However in the case of Salisbury High School’s Aubrey Barton, it is not a negative thing.
A junior at Salisbury, Aubrey busies herself with theatre. She recently had a major role in Salisbury High’s production of “Old McDonald: The Backpack Opera,” which was performed at area elementary schools.
Her next role will be in the Lexington Youth Theatre’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” which will open on April 3 and run through April 6.
The play is about a teen idol who is being drafted to serve in the war. The idol participates in a contest where he is to get a final kiss from a teenage girl fan.
Aubrey will be in three roles, two of which showcase her other talents, singing and tap dancing.
Aubrey’s career plans include becoming a Broadway star, a vocal teacher, and studying dance. She began dreaming of the stage at an early age and was inspired by her chorus teacher, Michael Brooks, to pursue some aspect of singing.
Her parents, Bryan and Shelby Barton, support her in every way. Aubrey plays the role of big sister to younger siblings Grayson and Amery. Through her involvement in “Bye Bye Birdie,” Aubrey became friends with Jennifer Pettigrele of Salisbury High School, who is also an aspiring actress.
The girls work together by carpooling to theatre practice. They also encourage each other as they rehearse for an outstanding performance.
An average day for Aubrey consists of getting up at 5:45 in the morning. On Wednesday mornings she is the music leader for Youth Commission International, a group of young people that meets at Salisbury High. She then goes to school. After school she and Jennifer head to theatre practice. She gets home by 9 p.m., when she starts her homework.
Like most teens, Aubrey has an after-school job. She works as a drive-thru server at Marlow’s Barbecue.
Aubrey is serious about her acting career. She has involved herself in numerous productions such as “Seussical the Musical,” “42nd Street,” and “High School Musical.”
The hardest part of “Bye Bye Birdie,” Aubrey says, is “singing upside down and tapping with a hurt knee.”
Aubrey’s role model is Nikki Blonsky of the 2007 hit musical “Hairspray.”
Blonskey inspires Aubrey by being an average person who took a chance and became the star of a major film.
Aubrey advises aspiring actors or actresses not to be afraid of rejection. She admits that it took getting used to, but says hearing “no” isn’t a personal attack.
“You may not be right for the part and that doesn’t mean you’re a bad actor. Get out there and experience.”
Esa Mills is a student at North Rowan High School.