THS Teacher Performs in Community Production of “The Belle of Amherst”

Talawanda High School English teacher Clare Squance performed as Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst at the Oxford Community Arts Center this past weekend.  The show, written by William Luce and based on the life and work of poet Emily Dickinson, is a one-woman performance that incorporates her poetry with glimpses into the poet’s past.

Squance, a member of the OxACT board, has been in plays such as Guys and Dolls and Company, and said she was first asked to consider the role by the play’s director, Mike McVey. “I wasn’t sure at first, but knew I should accept the part considering Dickinson’s role in my life”

Squance remembered that, during her childhood, her mother would recite Dickinson poems. It was her mother’s love of Dickinson that gave Squance her name: Clare Emily. “I’m named after her [Dickinson], so I knew I had to take the part.”

It took Squance five months to prepare for the role, balancing memorizing lines with teaching and family.  “I would just work on the lines when I had time,” she said. “I think my husband heard the lines at least a hundred times.” She said she watched the original performance with Julie Harris to get inspiration for the role, as well.

After the play’s run this past weekend, Squance said she felt pleased with her performances. “I was more nervous leading up to it,” she said. “But, once there was an audience, everything just fell into place.”

See photos from her performance below: