She just wants to go to the prom. And take her girlfriend. Why can’t the world be more accepting instead of prejudiced, homophobic, and closed-minded? In the final installment of our ‘It’s Time To Dance’ interview series with the Teen Corps from Tidewater Players’ The Prom, we get to chat with Lizzie Sprague and Sammi Flickinger, playing Emma and Alyssa, one on one with what it’s like to be a part of this area premiere.

Thank you for giving us your time today. Good to see you again, Sammi. Remind us who you are and who you’re playing here this time?

Sammi Flickinger: I’m Sammi Flickinger and I’m playing Alyssa Greene.

Tell me a little bit about Alyssa.

Sammi: Alyssa is a closeted lesbian. Spoiler alert. But it’s hinted at— loudly— many times, early on.

How are you and Alyssa similar and different?

Sammi: We’re very similar because there is a lot of responsibility in each of our lives. We’re both desperate people pleasers. We both need to keep the people that we’re close to happy. We’re different— I am straight. So it has been interesting finding ways to connect with someone who is going through that struggle, of being a closeted lesbian who can’t be out in public because of her mom. I don’t know those experiences first-hand. I do know the pressures of trying to keep everyone happy, trying to live up to these expectations of who other people think you’re supposed to be, while trying to figure out who you truly are based on what you know verses who and what you present to people.

Why did you want to be a part of The Prom?

Sammi: It’s new. It has a really good message for everyone. I like being supportive of other people. I will admit, there was a little bit of ambition involved for me. I’ve recently gained some confidence in my singing ability because I’m taking voice lessons with LaShelle Bray. So there was a part of it where I wanted to be ambitious, take my confidence, and go audition. And it paid off, which is nice, but I like stories that show support to oppressed communities, to othered communities. Especially when it’s kids trying to figure out who they are and especially in a high school setting. High school is awful! High school and middle school are awful! You’re so busy trying to figure out who you are— and who you get to be friends with based on who you are— it’s just so stressful! So the message in here— fully accepting who you are and being true to yourself— that honestly resonates with me on a deep, personal level, regardless of whether it’s about being gay or straight. It’s about being truly who you are. And that resonates with me because I’ve had to do that a lot all throughout my life.

We know you’re out of the high-school bracket in real life, but did you go to prom?

Sammi: I did go to prom. But it was surprisingly fancy! I went to North Harford High School and it’s all rednecks out there. So I was basically expecting prom in a barn. But it was at this really nice— I forget what it was called— but it was a really upscale event space. I didn’t like the juniors being there…that’s my own opinion…they messed with the vibe. Juniors should have their own prom. Seniors can have their own prom. No need to force it into one big event. Because the Juniors treated it like a homecoming and it wasn’t a prom vibe. The Seniors were the ones in elegant floor-length dresses and the Juniors… were not. But they had salmon at my prom, which I was really surprised about because salmon is classy food. Prom was really fun. I don’t think we had a theme.

What was your dress like?

Sammi: It was so pretty. I don’t fit into it anymore. It was a tight squeeze; that was peak dancer era for me. So I was skinny-skinny. It was floor length, it was black, it had a nice slit up the side, and it had a jeweled neckline that dipped down in a V. And it was backless too. It was a really, really pretty dress.

Do you know what sort of prom dress Alyssa gets to wear to the prom here?

Sammi: TBD. We’re still figuring that one out. It’ll be a surprise. To everyone. Including me!

If you had to pick a perfect theme for prom, what would you pick?

Sammi: My perfect prom would honestly be Rennfaire. Everybody gets dressed up in their fantasy-sparkle-Rennfaire gear, but honestly? I’d let everyone come wearing whatever but the décor and food would definitely be Rennfaire.

Why do you want people to come and see The Prom?

Sammi: Like I said before, it is an important show. It’s so important there’s a bunch of other companies doing it too all around the same time. Ours is the regional premiere, the area premiere for this community and it has so many important themes. It shows you that you’re meant to love people for who they are and that is such an important message. Plus it’s just a really freaking fun show. It’s got those heartfelt moments in it too. It’s a nice mix. It’s a great show and everybody should come see it!

If you had to sum up your experience here with The Prom at Tidewater Players in just one word, which word do you use?

Sammi: It’s been a blast. A blast. Blast. Is that one word? Blast!

Excellent. I’ll take it. Thank you again so much for sitting and chatting. Now, onto Lizzie! Thank you, Lizzie. Tell us a little bit about who you are and who you are playing.

Lizzie Sprague: I’m Lizzie Sprague and I play Emma. Now Emma is the only gay kid at her school in a little conservative, Midwest town in Indiana. She goes through this whole journey of just wanting to take her girlfriend to prom, but the girlfriend is still very much in the closet and a secret from everyone. It’s a much more intense story than I thought. The town is not kind to Emma. But it does end really well and I do love playing Emma. She’s a really great character who eventually brings everyone around to accepting. I define myself as broadly queer and I take any pronouns— if we’re printing this I’m good with she or they.

That’s fantastic, thank you for sharing. How are you and Emma similar and different?

Lizzie: I think one way we’re different initially is the specifics of our sexuality. Emma is very definitively a lesbian and I am more broadly queer. But like Emma, I’ve also known that I was queer since I was young. It’s not really something that I talk about much with my family, like her. We diverge in the specifics. She had a lot of romantic connections that felt true to her from a young age and that’s very special but I kind of came into things as I got older. I’m 25.

Since you are 25, did you go to a prom?

Lizzie: I’ve been to two proms. The first one I went to with a boyfriend because it was his prom. And I mainly just remember wearing blue because it was his favorite color? But then he didn’t wear any blue. And I didn’t love that experience. But the second prom I went to with a friend was much more fun. It was one of the last times that I voluntarily wore a dress, which is really funny. Emma is braver than I am because she wears a tux to her prom.

Do you remember what color the dress was that you wore to the second prom?

Lizzie: It was white with florals.

You said Emma is not wearing a dress but a prom tux?

Lizzie: So Emma ends up in a dress a couple different times, but she does ultimately achieve her dream of wearing a tux to prom. Color to be determined.

Why is it important for you to be a part of this particular show?

Lizzie: This all kind of happened very fast. I met Tigga (choreographer Tigga Smaller) over the summer doing American Idiot at Street Lamp Community Theatre, and that was really fun. I had a great time getting to know Tigga. I’m not actually from here. I’m from Wilmington, Delaware. So I’ve been finding shows to do when I meet someone cool, like Tigga, that’s how I ended up here. I didn’t necessarily even expect to get this part, but it’s been really special to me. I’ve never played a part that’s kissed another girl and that’s really unique and special for me. I can only think of a handful of roles that get to do that anyway. I think it’s really special and amazing to get to play someone who is so firm in their convictions and that everyone else is really just catching up to her. Emma has great values. She’s very sure of herself even though she’s so young and insecure. Her values are so set in place and that is just so special; I take a lot away from that.

If you had to pick the perfect prom theme, which theme would you pick?

Lizzie: Prom theme? Oh that’s funny. Umm… the school I went to, we were the “Green Knights” so all the themes were something like “A Knight in Paris” and stuff like that. So that’s immediately where my mind goes. But I have honestly no idea. I’m not a big prom person. Let someone else pick the theme. I mean, one time during Homecoming, I famously held a pumpkin-carving party instead of going to the dance. Prom and dances are not for everyone!

Why do you want people to come see The Prom?

Lizzie: I think people should come see The Prom because I think all kinds of people will see themselves in it, from all kinds of backgrounds and all sorts of political views. I think they will just go from the beginning to the end, see the whole journey, and be very eye-opening for everyone.

If you had to sum up your experience here at The Prom with Tidewater Players in just one word, which word do you use?

Lizzie: Zazzy!

The Prom plays through March 6 2023 with Tidewater Players, in residence at the Cultural Center at The Havre de Grace Opera House— 121 N. Union Street in historic downtown Havre de Grace, MD. For tickets call the box office at 667-225-8433 or purchase them online.

To check out The Prom with Abigail and Aaron, click here!

To check out The Prom with Maggie and Zach, click here!

To check out The Prom with Tristin and Brigid, click here!

To check out The Prom with Kaitlyn and Anna, click here!

To check out The Prom with Shelly and Shea, click here!