Creativity comes in all shapes, forms and ages!
This week’s #NEPACreative is Erin Barno of Mountain Top. Erin is currently a seventh grader at Crestwood Middle School, and she definitely keeps busy outside of the classroom. Erin is being highlighted for bringing creativity to the area through acting at a non-profit organization, KISS Theatre in Wilkes-Barre Township.
Erin has performed in 19 shows – her favorite being “The Wizard of Oz,” when she played Dorothy alongside some of her closest friends. Some other shows Erin has been a part of are “Aladdin,” “Grease,” “Oliver!” and “The Addams Family,” but acting isn’t Erin’s only talent. She is on Crestwood’s junior varsity track team, is a second degree black belt in Karate, and plays the piano and the flute.
Barno explained, “One thing I have learned over time is that acting is more than just being on stage. It’s about telling a story and making the audience feel like they are part of that story. You want them to laugh when you laugh and cry when you cry.”
When asked if she has had any inspiration, Erin mentioned that, “Jessica Suda, the Artistic Director of KISS Theatre, and Joanna Brynn Smith, the music director at KISS and my voice teacher, have been major role models throughout my years of acting.” She went on to say that, “They have taught me to always contribute to the cast’s effort and work to better myself, others and the overall show”
CoalCreative Graphic Design Intern Michael Hoskins spent the last few months creating posters for KISS Theatre, and he commented on Erin being featured in the series.
“Seeing a seventh grader featured in the #NEPACreatives Series proves exactly what this series is meant to do: show that there is creativity everywhere,” Hoskins said. “Whether it’s found in a seventh-grade actor or a seasoned photographer, creativity thrives all around us, and I think it’s awesome people are able to witness it.”
Erin explained to us that acting has really helped build her confidence with school projects and her social life over the last few years. Being on stage has ultimately taught her to stop being afraid and to always chase her dreams head on.
Erin plans to one day become a physical therapist with the hopes of getting an academic scholarship to a nearby college in order to continue helping at KISS Theater during her free time.
When being considered as an NEPA Creative, individuals are asked to explain how they bring creativity to the area, how long they have been doing it and why, and finally, what being creative means to them. Once chosen, the next step is to bring each creative into CoalCreative’s studio space to be filmed for a 60 second video that is shared every Wednesday across all their social media platforms. The series plans to highlight all sorts of creatives throughout the rest of the year. There are no limits to who could be considered. Photographers, musicians, barbers, magicians and improv artists are just a handful of the submissions CoalCreative has received thus far.
