Senior Annabelle Brownfield will be the first student choreographer in San Marin Musical Theatre’s history, tackling choreographing the musical adaptation of Irving Berlin’s 1954 film “White Christmas” all on her own.
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” tells the story of two World War II Army
veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who became a popular song and dance duo in
the musical industry after the war. They decide to help their former Commanding General by putting on a show at his struggling inn in Vermont after joining with sister act Betty and Judy Haynes.
Brownfield, who plays the inn’s concierge, Martha Watson, in addition to being the choreographer, has been dancing since she was five years old, but she only started performing in musicals in 2020.
“[Dancing] kind of feels like a way to clear my mind,” Brownfield said. “Every time I’m dancing, I’m not worrying about deadlines or anything, I’m just focused on what I’m doing.”
Brownfield has choreographed for community theatre companies in the past, but never for an entire musical.
“I did it for small, 30-second dances for younger kids, but this is the biggest thing I’ve ever done,” Brownfield said. “It’s not going to be like any other production. I’m doing it all from my head and some inspiration from other things, but it’s mostly my [original] choreography.”
Sophomore Rosalie Chi is a friend of Brownfield’s, having met her after joining the musical theatre program at San Marin in “She Loves Me.” She has been in multiple productions before and is playing Susan Waverly in the show. Chi is looking forward to having Brownfield in a teacher position.
“I’m really excited that Annabelle’s doing the choreography, because it means she’s more accessible [to talk to], and she’s also a student like me,” Chi said.
Brownfield has gained a strong reputation among her fellow actors in theatre because of her teaching ability.
“I’m also really excited because Annabelle’s a super great teacher,” Chi said. “She was invaluable in teaching it so that I understood it very well.”
Despite the nerves this task has brought, Brownfield is excited about this opportunity.
“It’s really nerve-racking, but it’s really exciting that I get to [do the choreography],” Brownfield said.
San Marin will be performing “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” on Nov. 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 7:00 p.m., and Nov. 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Emily Gates Performing Arts Center at San Marin.
