Anyone who questions the importance of Arts programs in Gorham schools, need look no further than Jessica Ernest (GHS ’07) who is playing the role of Go-to-Hell Kitty in the Broadway production of “Chicago.” She joins many other students from Gorham schools who have pursued careers in the Arts. To the list, which includes the Esty twins, Sara and Leigh-Ann, dancers with the Miami City Ballet who are now performing in “An American in Paris,” and Andrew Vojtal, a member of the traveling cast of “Hamilton,” we can add Ernest who is making a name for herself on the Great White Way.

The best part of her current role as Go-to Hell Kitty, a socialite who murders her cheating boyfriend and lands in Cook County Jail, is being able to perform eight shows a week on Broadway. She has been in the show for five months which is more than 160 shows. Ernest said, “Doing the same thing night after night could get boring, but every audience brings something different to the performance and that helps us, as performers, keep it new and exciting.” Ernest added that this show is fun for her because there are two other Mainers involved in the production.

Ernest has accrued an impressive list of credits. Immediately following graduation in 2011 from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA with a BFA in Theater Arts/Musical Theater, she was cast as a singer with Celebrity Cruise Lines. “I cruised around the world for almost a year, exploring and gaining cultural experiences I never could imagine living in Gorham,” she said.

She has danced in Donn Arden’s Jubilee, the longest-running showgirl show on the Las Vegas Strip. She has also performed in regional theaters all over the country, starring in musicals such as “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Big Fish,” “La Cage aux Folles” and “Catch Me If You Can.” After returning to New York, Ernest was cast as Ulla, the blonde bombshell in the touring company of Mel Brooks’ musical, “The Producers.” She was extra excited when she got to perform in this role to an audience full of friends and family at the Collins Center in Orono.

This Broadway role is a dream come true. Ernest said, “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life.” But the life of a performer has its challenges, too. “There are mental obstacles, such as learning how to deal with rejection when you don’t land a role,” she said. There can also be periods of unemployment and uncertainty, filled with temporary jobs, while waiting for a new opportunity to perform on stage. Ernest is grateful that her parents have been wonderfully supportive, cheering her on during the good times and cheering her up with inspirational, supportive words from Mom and bear hugs and silly jokes from Dad during the not-so-good times.

For Ernest, the adage that success in the arts isn’t about what you know, it’s who you know, is definitely true. “Making connections through classes, while working on a show, striking up conversation with a stranger at auditions, or meeting friends of friends, networking is key.” She added, “The people you surround yourself with on a day to day basis play a huge part. They support you when you are down and are the first to celebrate with you when things go right.”

Ernest does not think she could imagine a better childhood than growing up in Gorham, where Music and Drama were such a big part of her early years. In true performer fashion, she would like to thank:

Janelle Gray, my elementary school music and voice teacher, who encouraged me to audition for my first community theater experience as Pepper in “Annie” at the Lyric Music Theater and also for making it possible for aspiring actresses like me to perform in Kids on Broadway.