Hi! My name is Grace Elizabeth Etzkorn and I play Kate/Understudy Annie and have been performing as Annie on the Matinees since January.
I love being on the Annie National Tour. It is fun to play the part of Kate as she is a very sneaky orphan and is a great character to play. She gets to step on Ms. Hannigan’s foot and is always pulling a prank on her. I think this is the reason that Miss Hannigan has her sleeping on the floor in the first scene. I also get to tease and taunt Ms. Hannigan by sticking a dead mouse up in her face. But, what is really funny is that even though I do all those mean things to her in the show. We are actually really good friends in real life.
I also have been able to play Annie and also enjoy playing this role It’s also hard to play both parts because you have to sometimes be switching back and forth on different days. I also think that it is fun when an understudy goes on because it is interesting to see how that person portrays that character. There is a good reason if the lead in unable to perform and understudies are necessary to any show so that when the lead is unable to perform they are there to cover for them. Everyone is so talented that they are just so incredible to work with and I have learned a great deal from working with the adult cast members. When I first went on as Annie, they were so supportive and I will never forget how they all helped me.
It has been a great experience being out on the road because, I got to meet a lot of new people, make some new friends, and especially hang out with the orphans. We have been to so many cities and spent so much time together that I this is an experience of a lifetime. I definitely love singing, dancing and acting and thank God for this wonderful opportunity!
