A quick visit with a performer
Emily Duvall tells us a little bit about her world in theater
V GalleryThe talent in our community is dynamic, and one can not be curious about why some people are naturally compelled to be involved in live theater. What we do know is we are glad they are!
Emily Duvall is one of those people. You know her for playing Rosie in Mamma Mia, and assisting in the direction for Basin Community Theatre's first youth production of Lion King Jr, and/or Assistant Director for MLHS's production of Footloose. Earlier productions she performed in include My Fair Lady- Mrs. Higgins - Fiddler On the Roof- Yente - Les Miserable- Madame Thenardlet.
VM: Where does your passion for live theater come from? My passion for live theater came from hanging out with my best friend Anna Clement (now Peters). Her Mom was a talented musician that played in the pit for the musicals at Big Bend; she and her sister both played instruments as well. Oklahoma was the first musical I ever watched on Video, it was at Anna's house of course, and then I saw it on stage at Big Bend, and that was it for me, I was hooked.
VM: Did you know as a child that you enjoyed singing? That is a resounding YES! I have home movies of me singing songs from church, and my favorite elementary class was always music. My sister had a great music selection, and I was always jamming out at home to the Footloose Soundtrack, Def Leopard, George Michael... you name it.
VM: Who has inspired you the most to share your talents? My inspiration to share my talents comes mostly from my mother, Lucinda West. She recognized the love of performing in me, and she put me in dance and voice lessons and was always supportive. I also have to give some credit to Lora Bailey. I took my 1st Theatre class with her in 4th grade, and she made me feel like I had a real gift for acting.
VM: Where does your confidence come from? I served a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for 18 months from March 2011-Oct. 2012. I was called to the Brazil Fortaleza Mission. Serving a mission for my church was one of the biggest desires of my heart. I'm so thankful I never gave up on the idea, it was one of the hardest but best things I've ever done. It taught me to listen a lot more, it taught me that I didn't always have to be funny to be appreciated, and I served with humble and loving people. It helped me grow.
VM: What inspired you as a kid to pursue your dreams? I'd say my comfort of being around people comes from my loving parents, who never once left me feeling like I wasn't enough and growing up. I always admired how charismatic my dad, Bill West, was. I thought he was so funny and I loved to hear his stories. My Grandfather was like that as well. He passed away when I was young, but I always hear stories of how much people loved him and thought he was the greatest, and I wanted to be like that.
What else do you love to do? I'm afraid once we escape the performing arts category, there isn't much else to me. Ha Ha Ha in my spare time I watch Netflix with my husband, Michael. That's about it. If you need someone to come up with a meme to post on Social Media, I'm your girl. I should probably branch out and learn to crochet or quilt.... or make myself useful and play the piano but no such luck.