Some people are born for the stage.

“I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic,” says Lincoln sophomore Emerson Quarles theatrically.  “Since I was very young I’ve always wanted to be a part of a production.”

Quarles is a student in Lincoln’s performance exploration class and was recently cast in the school’s production of “The Sound of Music,” directed by Lincoln theater teacher, Jim Peerenboom. 

“I really love Mr. Peerenboom and I’ve had a really good relationship with the other people who are part of [Lincoln theater],” said Quarles. “I’ve found this [program] to have a really warm atmosphere full of growth and personal development.” 

Quarles notices a difference between his middle school and high school theater experiences. 

“I think that one of the biggest differences is the energy that people bring into it when they don’t have to be micromanaged,” said Quarles. “It kind of shifted to being more of a professional situation where people treat you like professionals and give you a lot of respect in that wheelhouse, especially Mr. Peerenboom. He does amazing with that.”

As Lincoln moves into a new building, the theater community will have to shift to a new setting. 

“I think that we’re bringing the people and the energy into [the new theater], so I’m not really nervous about the transition, “ said Quarles. “It’ll be exciting to have the space and the tools to really enhance what we’re doing.”

Quarles has found theater to be a great emotional outlet and a great way to express himself. As he envisions the move, he expresses his admiration for the theater community and appreciation for the Lincoln drama program.

“I think that theater has a very warm energy that really is inclusive of a lot of people,” he said. “I really appreciate that. It’s really nice for me to find that.”

Students don’t yet know how the new building will reshape the theater program, but Quarles is looking forward to it nonetheless.

“I know that it’s a very daunting thing to take something that has such deep roots in a specific place,” said Quarles. “But I have faith in the people that are running this department and I know that they’re going to carry us to the next place and make more amazing memories there.”