Spotlight On: Erin Campbell

Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Carrie. Get to know Erin Campbell who is portraying Miss Lynn Gardner in our production!

Introduce yourself to our audience.

Hello!!  My name is Erin!   I am so excited to be tackling the role of Miss Lynn Gardner!

How do you balance the heightened, supernatural elements of the show with the grounded, painful reality of high school bullying?

Things have certainly changed since I was in high school a few (ahem!) years ago. With the constant presence of social media and the added reality of online bullying, it seems like navigating those challenges has become even more difficult for today’s teenagers. I think incorporating the supernatural elements into the story actually helps to balance some of that cruelty and gives the audience a bit of a reprieve from what can otherwise feel overwhelming.

What is your favorite musical motif or lyric in Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford’s score that helps define your character?

How does this production make Carrie feel relevant to modern audiences?

The bullying portrayed in the script feels even more intense and pervasive than it does in the book or the film. This makes the story particularly relevant to modern audiences, as many people may find themselves connecting more directly to the realities of their own high school experiences. The stage adaptation also incorporates cell phones and social media, elements that are absent from the original book and film, which further grounds the story in the world that teenagers navigate today. These additions make the bullying feel more immediate and relatable, while highlighting how technology can amplify the social pressures and cruelty of the high school experience.

What has been the most physically or emotionally demanding part of the rehearsal process for you?

The most physically and emotionally demanding part of the rehearsal process for me has been “The Destruction.” It requires a tremendous amount of physical and emotional energy, and it’s definitely not easy on a 46-year-old body!

What surprised you most about the script and score compared to the original Stephen King novel or the films?

I was surprised by how effectively the script and score encourage the audience to feel some sympathy for Margaret White. Her Act 2 song, “When There’s No One,” is particularly haunting and emotionally moving. Even as she speaks about murdering her own daughter, the song reveals that Margaret genuinely believes she is acting in Carrie’s best interest and protecting her from what she sees as a dangerous world. It’s fascinating—and somewhat unsettling—to find yourself feeling sympathy for the show’s villain. The complexity of her character makes her actions even more tragic, because we can see that, in her own mind, they are rooted in love, fear, and a misguided desire to protect her daughter.

How does the ensemble use choreography and movement to amplify the tension and horror onstage?

All of the choreography in the show complements the music beautifully and helps bring each song to life. The movement in “The Destruction,” in particular, is incredibly eerie and unsettling, reflecting Carrie’s emotional state and the way she experiences and perceives the bullying around her. I find the choreography especially powerful because it gives the audience a glimpse into Carrie’s perspective and allows us to experience the chaos and intensity of the moment through her eyes. I hope the audience appreciates it as much as I do.

If your character could give one piece of advice to their younger self, what would it be?

I think she would tell herself to keep fighting for what she believes is right, but to approach it from a less harsh and confrontational perspective. She expects a great deal from the younger students, and I think she could have been more successful by showing them a little more compassion and finding a different approach to connect with them and achieve the results she wanted. I also think that, if we went even further back, she would tell herself to stay committed to becoming a teacher, because it seems to be the career that truly suits her and gives her a sense of purpose.

What do you hope audiences are discussing in the car on their ride home from the theater?