When performing for young audiences, there’s always a chance for surprises! Students may be interacting with live theatre for the first time, and the opportunity for a talkback provides the chance to talk about their observations or ask questions they’re truly curious about. Our School Squad cast members have encountered their fair share of funny and unexpected questions. We caught up with some cast members to learn which questions left them laughing, thinking, or totally charmed. Below are their favorites!
Alexis Morehead & Owen O’Halloran rehearsing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
ALEXIS
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2025)
“My first favorite question is ‘Who's your favorite character?’ This one is particularly fun because I'm playing the Witch in our current school tour and she is very opposite to me in my everyday life. I am a generally soft-spoken person, who tries to be kind, friendly, and considerate of others, which is completely counter to who the Witch is. Jadis is a mean, cruel, loud, and selfish person who relishes inflicting pain on others.”
Sara
Dragons Love Tacos (2024)
“We got asked a lot why the Dragons loved taco’s. I personally loved talking about the dragon's names.”
Sara Hall & Bess Bergin.
Owen O’Halloran & Jean O’Halloran on the Dragons Love Tacos tour.
Jean
Dragons Love Tacos (2023)
“I remember we got asked various times about who made the dragons and all of our props and how they were made, and there was one kid who said ‘Can I have one of those tacos?’ And we, of course, had to say no and explain why not.
I also found it very funny whenever something had visibly messed up on stage and then one of the kids asked about it and said something like ‘Why did that curtain fall down?’ or ‘Did you guys mean to drop those tacos down here?’”
OWEN
Dragons Love Tacos (2024),
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2025)
“Does doing all of those voices make your throat hurt?”
Owen O’Halloran on the Dragons Love Tacos tour.
(Top L to R): Sara Hall, Thor Raines, & Bess Bergin. (Bottom L to R): Jean O’Halloran & Owen O’Halloran.
BESS
Dragons Love Tacos (2023)
“During Dragons Love Tacos, one of the younger students got to ask a question. He was probably in either K5 or even younger. He stands up, takes the mic, and confidently states ‘My favorite color is blue!’ The teachers were embarrassed, but this kid was beaming with joy, and we all thought it was so sweet! The teacher turned it into a “What’s your favorite color?” question.”
COURTNEY
PINOCCHIO (2023)
“Students LOVED to ask how long it took to memorize lines and how we went about memorizing them. I loved telling them I use Quizlet flashcards to learn my lines–they recognize it as a studying tool, and it creates a connection!
We also received “Who made the costumes?” many times throughout the Pinocchio tour. It was a cool moment to allow Caroline to share that her older sister, Kat Bates, was the Production Designer and designed all the costumes, props, and set for the production.”
L to R: Caroline Bates, Courtney Dorn, & Chris Liles on the Pinocchio tour. Photo: Casey Bates.
The 2025 School Squad tour of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe continues through March 28th. In partnership with the Anderson County Library System, we’re also offering three free shows on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM! You can catch the performances at the following locations:
Pendleton Library on March 1st
Anderson Main Library on March 15th
Powdersville Library on March 22nd
