Two Medina County students to perform in "A Christmas Carol" at Playhouse Square

CLEVELAND — Patrons attending this year's production of "A Christmas Carol" at Playhouse Square will get to experience performances from two of Medina County's young actors. Great Lakes Theater's 36th annual production of "A Christmas Carol" will start on Saturday and run until Dec. 22 at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. Morgan Lehman, 11, is a sixth grader at Highland Middle School, who will perform the roles of Sarah Cratchit, Polly and a ghost child. Paige Lewis, 8, is in third grade at St. Ambrose, and she will portray Belinda Cratchit, Abigail and a member of the ensemble. Morgan became involved in the production three years ago after her voice teacher, Kimberly States, suggested she audition for it. Her mom, Jennifer Lehman, said Morgan has taken part in around 20 shows for about 15 theater companies over the past four years, and "A Christmas Carol" was her first professional show. "I love the exhilaration that you get once you step on the stage, and the memories, especially, that you make with the cast," Morgan said. "They're like a second family because you spend most of your time, for months and months, with these people. I love that." Paige's mom, Tracy Lewis, said Paige was 5 years old when she started performing, and she has taken part in school, community and professional theater ever since. It is the first time Paige is a part of "A Christmas Carol," and she auditioned this year because States, who is also her voice teacher, suggested she do so. "I'm impressed with how much time she puts into all of this," Lewis said. "(At her age) I don't think I would have been able to interact with adults and put the time and effort into learning a part and all the rehearsals because it's a pretty intense rehearsal schedule." Rehearsals are for eight hours a day for two weeks, and the actors work with the adult company, and the young company, Morgan said. "I love spending time with the actors," she said. "They're always so nice and inviting, especially the adult company. I love seeing the young company shine on stage every year. All of the new kids just blow me away." Paige said she is looking forward to her peers from St. Ambrose attending one of her performances. What she likes about theater is that it gives her an avenue to show herself as different types of characters. "It's really cool to see her on stage," Lewis said. "She becomes a whole different person, a whole different character. She has confidence that I never had at that age. I'm always impressed that she can get up in front of so many people and not be nervous." Lewis said she hopes her daughter learns skills like time management and compassion for others from being a part of the production. "I think theater, in general, gives you a different perspective on people," she said. "It helps you with empathy because you have to envision yourself as a character and really lean into what that person is thinking and feeling. I hope that she takes that empathy that she's learning from becoming a character and applies that in her other relationships in life." Inspiration to become a better actor comes from watching the older actors perform in "A Christmas Carol," Morgan said. Over the years, she has learned a lot just by watching them perform. "I hope that the run goes well, and I hope that, especially, we all get to see each other again, the young company, after the show is over," she said. "I hope that I get to stay in the show for years to come." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.