Director of Theater Catriona Hynds described Lottie Levine ’25 as a “triple threat” for her contributions to the Deerfield Performing Arts Department as a dancer, singer, and actor. Recognized by her peers and teachers as a dependable asset in the performing arts community, according to her peers, Levine is a student who consistently embraces new opportunities while expressing, sharing, and encouraging positivity throughout them.
Levine began dancing at a young age when her parents enrolled her in ballet classes. She has been singing for as long as she can remember, Levine recalled how she would always “walk around humming something” during her childhood, she said. She started acting in elementary school and fell in love with musical theater when she “saw the intersection between dancing, acting, and singing.”
Since beginning her various performing arts journeys, Levine has only grown to further cherish the performing arts. She has spent her time at Deerfield improving her skills across all three areas, becoming what Mrs. Hynds describes as “an all-rounder.” According to Mrs. Hynds, Levine’s ability to juggle the demands of singing, dancing, and acting while maintaining a relentless work ethic makes her “a grafter.”
Levine shared that her development as a singer as an ongoing journey. “Learning how to belt was something that I never thought I could do,” she said.
Dancing at Deerfield, Levine has expanded her repertoire beyond her ballet background, exploring hip-hop, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance styles. She has participated in many dance showcases, including The Nutcracker during her sophomore, junior, and senior years. In The Nutcracker, her roles have significantly progressed from dancing in Marzipan and the Party Scene to the Snow Queen this past year. “It’s been kind of full circle this year getting to dance the Snow Queen,” she said, describing it as a culmination of her years of effort.
Levine’s acting roles have ranged from Amy March in Little Women to the narrator in Stuart Little. She highly appreciated her role in Little Women, as she could empathize with her character, both having an older sibling. Mrs. Hynds enjoyed watching Levine perform the most in Stuart Little, describing her as “the linchpin who kept the whole thing together.” Acknowledging that the show was being presented to children, Levine had to “sew up all of these different little vignettes” which she did in a way that put “so much joy in the younger kids’ and faculty kids’ eyes,” Schiff recollected.
Her background in dance and movement allows her to further add depth to her assigned roles. Schiff, who worked with her in Alice By Heart, said, “Her training in movement and dance has really helped her… because it allows her to really sink into the physicality of each character.” Conversely, her gained physical awareness achieved from acting is shown through her dancing as she is “able to put a backstory and emotion into each piece that she does instead of just remembering the steps,” Schiff said.
Levine’s willingness to accept and take on challenges sets her apart in the theater community. Mrs. Hynds described Levine as someone who “doesn’t let you down and [is] not a complainer,” she said. In last fall’s play The Crucible, Levine was asked to play a male role, a part that required her to stretch her vocal and physical range. “Some people might think twice about that,” Mrs. Hynds explained. “Not Lottie. She didn’t hesitate, she didn’t doubt–she just trusted the process.” This fearless attitude allows Lottie to embody a variety of characters, from wacky to serious and grounded. One of her fellow actors, Ella Dorsch ‘25, expressed the connection between Levine’s adaptable nature and her training across the arts. She said, “Her awareness around her body and her voice really plays a role in creating a good character.” Whether shifting her physicality to personify a different gender or adjusting to the demands of different acting styles, Levine incorporates her experiences into each role which ultimately elevates her character.
Off the stage in the theater community, Levine’s intrinsic leadership qualities are apparent through rehearsals. Schiff looks back on her role as dance captain in Alice by Heart: “There were rehearsals where the faculty were in another room, and Lottie would take charge to help people feel solid on the choreography.” Her enthusiasm and reliability make her a natural leader. “She leads with ‘yes’,” Mrs. Hynds said emphasizing her personality as being “a positive person.”