By Sean Patrick Murphy
Eastern High School graduate and director Aimee Barnes has theater in her blood.
She is currently directing Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1959 classic, “The Sound of Music,” based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.”
Barnes, who graduated from Eastern High School in 1999, said she was involved in theater back then.
She was in a summer community theater production of “Fabulous Fable Factory.” Barnes also studied voice throughout high school, sang in the chorale at Eastern, and was selected for the All South Jersey Choir by audition.
She was also highly involved in the music program at Eastern as a member of the choir, marching band, wind ensemble, and pit orchestra for the musicals.
“I first discovered my love of theater in middle school,” Barnes said. “My first role was a singing ‘Coo Coo Clock’ in the ‘Creepy Creeps of Pilgrim Road’ at the Berlin Community School.”
She performed in other shows during middle school and high school including “Gone with the Breeze,” “Grease,” and concerts for the school and community.
“My mother also helped to foster my love of theater by taking me to see touring and local productions in Philadelphia including the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘Showboat,’ and ‘Rent,’” Barnes said.
“I am very passionate about exploring human connections through theater and utilizing theatre as a means of learning and growing as well as enjoyment,” she said. “I specialize in working with youth and I especially enjoy watching a student develop characters that are real, honest, and believable.
“I am inspired by how much an actor can grow throughout the rehearsal process, finding their own voice, and fostering their own passion in the theater,” Barnes added.
She said she had a very strong academic education at Eastern that prepared her for the rigors of a liberal arts college education. She has a BA from American University in Music Theater.
“I also think the music program is excellent and pushed me to a higher level in my performance, music theory, and history knowledge,” Barnes said.
And what advice would she give to a young person interested in theater?
“A career in theater, whether acting or directing, is hard work,” Barnes said. “A young person needs to be open and learn from those with experience, create their own opportunities, and believe in themselves.
“It’s work that fills you with joy and makes your job so fulfilling,” she added. “Reach for the stars, there’s no place like it.”
Now based in New York City, Barnes’ performance credits include New York productions of “A Christmas Carol,” “The Envelope Please,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “The Tamer Tamed.” She has performed with the Puppetry Arts Theatre, been on a national tour of “Cinderella” (as the Fairy Godmother), and has taken part in regional productions of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
A Phi Beta Kappa member, she graduated magna cum laude from American University. Her directing experience includes the summer programs at the Lake Dillon Theatre Company and the Emma Willard School. Barnes is also a voice teacher, specializing in musical theatre.
Performances of “The Sound of Music” are July 22 at 7:30 p.m. and July 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Morristown-Beard School’s Founders’ Hall, located at 70 Whippany Road in Morristown. Tickets are available by calling PeachCraft Studios at (908) 673–1485. More information: www.peachcraftstudios.com.
