From Stage to Class

Madison Osberger-Low, Sports Editor|December 18, 2017

Taylor Hartsfield plays Tracy Turnblad in Theatre Aspen’s production of Hairspray.

One of the most iconic characters to take the stage at Theatre Aspen last summer was Tracy Turnblad, the lively teenager from Baltimore who stars in Hairspray.

Taylor Hartsfield, who sang and danced her way to the Corny Collins Show in Hairspray, is filling in until April for AHS theater teacher Logan Carter as she departs on maternity leave. Hartsfield is also co-directing the fall musical, “Cinderella.” She brings her theater experience to the classroom at AHS.

“I have been a performer for 18 years and got my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at California State University, Fullerton,” Hartsfield said. “I have been working in youth theatre education for about eight years now in many different capacities, interning with the California Music Circus education program, running workshops and classes, teaching at high schools in California, and working with new youth theatre companies to get them started.”

As Carter turns the mic over to Hartsfield, there are some areas where Hartsfield will have to find her rhythm.

“Taylor shadowed me in my classes for several days over the last couple weeks and we have spent a lot of time going over the curriculum and all of the details of my position,” Carter, said and then added, “She’s amazing, she has great energy, loves the kids, loves theatre, is passionate and engaged, and so talented! We are so lucky to have her.”

AHS senior Chloe Breen, who is taking IB Theater, said she is so excited for Hartsfield to step in.

“I have loved Taylor since I met her,” Breen, who remembered the actress from her role in Hairspray said.

As Hartsfield makes her transition into teaching, she is ready to share her love for theater with AHS students.

“Being as passionate about the performing arts as I am, I love sharing my knowledge and skills I have gained over the years with young artists and students who are interested in theatre. I think the transition into teaching here will be easy because the staff and students I have met thus far have been so welcoming and excited,” Hartsfield said.