Arts at Holy Cross

Group: The Delilahs

Members: Lauren Clair ‘16, Natasha Meyer ‘16, Emma Linsenmeyer ‘16, Betsy Glynn ‘16, Amanda Gibson ‘17, Emily Smith ‘17, Erin Sullivan ‘18, Eve Wenger ‘18, Isabel Block ‘19, Olivia Merritt ‘18, Megan Nemeth ‘18, Natalie Welsch ‘17

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Lauren.

I’m currently a senior  working on a major in math with a minor in education. I am also in the Teacher Education Program and will be student teaching high school math full time in Worcester this semester! Besides being involved in the Delilah’s, I am the co-chair of the Purple Key Society and I am a teacher’s assistant for Calculus. I became a part of the Delilah’s in the Fall of my freshman year. I overheard the group singing “No Scrubs” in Cool Beans and instantly was drawn to the group! All the members were so fun, sweet, and talented- but they also had a lot of sass and confidence- which I loved! I auditioned for the group the following week and have been a part ever since! I could not imagine my time at HC without the Delilahs.

Who are The Delilahs and what is your ensemble all about?

Founded in 1993, The Delilahs are The College of the Holy Cross’ oldest, all female a capella group. We love performing and sharing our talents with others! Our musical selections range from Delilahs’ classics- such as the Irish Blessing- to current hits like Adele’s Hello. We pretty much are down to sing whatever, as long as we can add our own Delilahs’ flare to it! You can find us around campus by looking for the “Ladies in Black”. It has been a Delilah’s tradition to wear black with pink accents for every performance and we love keeping the tradition going.

What do you love most about singing in The Delilahs?

The other girls in the group. It’s honestly impossible to describe the bond you make with the Delilah members unless you experience it for yourself. The 11 other girls are my home away from home. It is extremely reassuring to know no matter what you always have a group of people on campus who support you and love you for who you are, and when you fall down- are always there to pick you up! I always have so much fun whenever I am with the Delilahs- both inside and outside of rehearsal, and some of my best memories of college have been with these girls.

What’s it like being a part of the an a Capella community on campus?

Amazing! Each group on campus is so supportive of the other groups and willing to collaborate and help each other out! I have made so many friends just by having an a-capella connection. Plus, you always know that other members of groups will join you in a random sing-along without hesitation!

What’s your favorite song to perform and why?

That is such a tough question to answer! But I would have to go with the Irish Blessing. The Delilah’s have always ended every performance with this song, so it’s extremely sentimental and meaningful to all of us. Plus, it is absolutely beautiful- and no matter how many times we sing it, I always get goose bumps!

If you could describe The Delilahs in three words, what would those be and why? 

Fun, Flirty, and Fabulous! And as for the why- come to a performance and see for yourself!!

Upcoming Performances: Every Monday at 10 p.m. in Cool Beans (“Manic Mondays”)

I’m writing this post on a lazy Sunday. I’m sitting in my favorite chair, wearing my favorite sweater, sipping tea and watching silly movies. It’s the end of winter break; tomorrow, I return to rehearsals with the cast of ACT’s Chicago. We are entering into our last three weeks before the show goes up, and after weeks of preparation and planning, I’m getting my head ready for long hours of intense, detailed work.

I’m also really, really scared.

Directing shows as a student at Holy Cross was the most important part of my education, hands down. The first piece I ever directed was a fifteen-minute original project for Ed Isser’s class. Seeing the piece performed, I felt an incredible rush of joy, satisfaction and pride. I had heard for years in Catholic schools about the concept of a vocation; watching my work come to life that first time, I felt that I had found mine.

The weeks leading up to that performance, however, were full of stress, anxiety, tears, self-doubt, coffee, and carbohydrates. And a lot of fear. I was afraid that the piece I had created, this deeply personal work, would be judged and dismissed by my audience. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to help my actors to perform their roles fully and successfully. I was afraid that what I had made would not be good enough.

Since graduating from Holy Cross in 2013, I’ve continued working in theatre. I’ve directed and assistant directed, worked backstage and at the front of house. Every time I begin a new creative project, a part of me wonders if the fear I felt directing that first piece will ever go away. It hasn’t. Every new piece feels the same, no matter how many times I’ve gone through it. I’ve never gotten used to it.

Even though it’s hard to remember when I’m in the thick of rehearsal, I’m really grateful to still feel that fear every time. It signals to me that what I’m doing is important to me in a personal way. It drives me through the challenging parts of rehearsal. It motivates me to do everything I possibly can to make a successful show. If directing Chicago felt comfortable and easy, it would mean that I was taking no risks, making no hard choices. It doesn’t—it feels huge and intimidating and essential.

I have a lot of high hopes for this production. I hope that the audience is charmed by Chicago’s humor, thrilled by its musical numbers, and pricked by its social criticism. But most of all, I hope that my cast, designers, and crew all feel a little bit of this deep, driving fear, and a whole bunch of creative discomfort. I’ve been through this process enough times now to know that the joy waiting on the other side of opening night makes it all worthwhile. – Christine Freije ’13

Alternate College Theatre’s production of Chicago runs  Feb. 4-6 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 6-7 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $10 for members of the Holy Cross community, $15 for the general public, and can be reserved by calling the ACT box office at 508-793-3536. Learn more about the production here.