Dear Rachel,
Thank you so much for agreeing to be in the Who’s Who. I have never been this nervous to write about someone. I know that as you read this, you’re smiling with that infectious smile of yours and saying, “Why would you be nervous to write about me? I’m so boring,†Well, Rachel, you are wrong! I am nervous because for years you’ve sat in the audience and watched me perform in many shows and have always been a great support to me, as well as a wonderful person to work with, but it’s your natural and genuine acting ability, your commitment to the craft, and your angelic voice that inspires me to do MY best. Every time I see you perform and see how the audience reacts, I wish for myself just a sliver of your talent. So I am nervous because I now have to write this profile about you and not sound like a gushing moron. I think you’re extraordinary and I want to get this right!
Her name is Rachel Bobbitt, and she spent the first 10 years of her life in Munster, Ontario before moving to Nova Scotia in 2009. The move brought Rachel (and her mom, dad and two siblings) closer to her extended family. At the ripe age of 14, Rachel is my youngest Who’s Who profile!
Although singing is Rachel’s focus, she also plays clarinet, guitar, piano and ukulele. For fun, she likes to sing with the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir and Horton Glee Club, and play in the Acadia youth band. And the talent goes farther, because Rachel is one of the best youth actors in the Valley. I was fortunate and honoured to work with Rachel in Fezziwig in 2010 and 2011, and her love of the theatre was inspirational. She loves the challenge of developing a new character, learning new choreography and songs, and seeing a script come together to make a show.
Rachel has been in many local theatre productions, including the lead role in the Stage Prophet’s 2011 production of Oliver! I recall crying like a baby while she sang, “Where is Love?†She’s performed in two Stage Prophet musicals and many Broken Leg Theatre Variety shows. Rachel has wowed audiences in three Quick as a Wink productions: A Little Princess the Musical (2011), Jane Eyre the Musical (2012) and 42nd Street (2013). In 2012, Rachel received the People’s Choice Young Performer Winkie Award from Quick as a Wink.
And now you get the chance to see Rachel in The Secret Garden, presented by Quick as a Wink Theatre Society and King’s-Edgehill School, in Windsor. This magnificent period drama is filled with beautiful music and a story (and a leading lady) that will capture your heart. The Secret Garden is being performed at the Fountain Performing Arts Centre at King’s Edgehill School May 30 and 31 and June 6and 7 at 7:30pm, with matinees on May 31, June 1 and June 7 at 2pm. Get your tickets at Moe’s Music Place in Windsor (Call 798-5565). You don’t want to miss this one, folks!
Rachel says, “What I love best about this area is that it’s such a tight-knit community. Everyone is so supportive of the arts, and it’s just such a happy, welcoming place. You meet so many genuine people, and they’re always ready to help if you need it. The Valley, for being such a small place, has so many amazing opportunities and people.†And Rachel Bobbitt just happens to be one of them! There are big things ahead for her and I hope to be in the audience watching!
Mike Butler
Editor’s Update: Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bobbitt family for their recent loss from CFB Petawawa.
