At this stage of life, she’s ready for anything

SNOHOMISH — Freja Jorgensen, 17, a senior at Glacier Peak High School, is a National Merit Finalist who makes perfect grades as she perfects her roles on local theater stages.

Question: You have a 4.0 GPA. How do you do that?

Answer: Very little sleep. I enjoy school. So that’s made it easier. And I have parents who really support and encourage me. It’s time management, mostly.

Q: What classes are you taking?

A: I’m taking choir. I’m (a teacher assistant) second period. I have (college-level Advanced Placement) government, AP statistics, French and AP literature.

Q: Do you have a favorite?

A: AP literature — I love that one. I’ve always really loved words. When I was little, I would get in trouble and my parents would take my books away from me.

Q: What are you thinking about for a career?

A: I’d like to be a stay-at-home mom. But before and after I’d like to be a teacher, of both literature and drama.

Q: You’re really involved in theater. How did that come about?

A: In fourth and fifth grade I was in the first two musicals they did here at Glacier Peak. My brothers went here, and they needed some kids for shows like “The Music Man.” I’ve loved it ever since. We’re opening “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (April 13-14). I’m playing Esmeralda. It’s very exciting.

Q: You also do community theater?

A: I’ve worked with Edmonds Driftwood Players, the Ludus Performing Arts, and I’m auditioning for Kidstage for a production of “Les Miserables” this summer.

Q: Sounds like a lot.

A: Last year I was insane. Not only did I do the fall and spring plays at school, I also did three more. At one point I was in three plays at once. And in two AP classes. It was a good kind of exhaustion. But I did learn my lesson. “Oh, I can’t do that again.”

Q: What do you like about theater?

A: I love the community and cast, the feeling of being in a team. And pretending to be someone else — it’s like playing pretend. I love the costumes. Most shows, they also have important messages. They communicate really beautiful themes that I hope the audience gets, like being more tolerant.

Q: Do you have any favorite roles or productions?

A: I absolutely love “Addams Family,” the musical. And I love my particular experience with “Tarzan” here at school. The backstage atmosphere was just great.

As for roles, I would love to be Christine in “Phantom (of the Opera).” That’s one of the roles I could use my full vocal range. Since the show takes place at an opera and she’s a soprano, she has normal range of singing but also goes way up there. … And “Les Miserables” and “Into the Woods” — I’d love any role in those.

Q: What’s after high school for you?

A: I’ve been accepted to (Brigham Young University) Provo, and I’ll go there in the fall, with my brother.

Q: How many siblings do you have?

A: I have three older brothers and two younger sisters. It’s really well organized. There are three pairs really close in age.

Q: You’re involved in your church?

A: I’ve held a couple of leadership roles with youth group and been a counselor with girls camp each summer. There’s a day camp for girls age 8 to 11, my sister’s age. I was a counselor last year for that and that was a lot of fun.

Q: Do you have other activities?

A: Church, school and theater — that’s pretty much it. If I’m not there, I’m probably sleeping.

Q: What’s it like to be at this stage in life?

A: It’s really bittersweet. Since my brothers all went to this school and doing shows before high school and all the shows in high school, I feel really close to this place. At the same time, I’m really excited for the new experience of college and to have my own place. I’ll definitely miss my family. I’ll figure it out.

Melissa Slager: mslager@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3432