Class Notes: Erin Morton (Heathers)

Summary

BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary Episode: Class Notes: Erin Morton (Heathers)
Host: Lauren Clash Schneider
Release Date: July 9, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of BroadwayRadio, host Lauren Clash Schneider welcomes Erin L. Morton, a rising senior at Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music, who portrays Martha Dunstock in the acclaimed musical Heathers at New World Stages. The conversation delves into Erin's journey, her interpretation of Martha, her collaboration with the creative team, and her unexpected viral success on social media.

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Erin Morton’s Background and Education

Lauren begins by highlighting Erin's academic pursuits:

"First of all, you're a rising senior at Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. Is that accurate?"
[00:59]
"Yes, absolutely," Erin confirms. She shares that three of her classmates have seen Heathers in the past week, indicating the show's growing popularity within her academic circle.

Erin hints at her future plans but notes that details will emerge closer to graduation:

"It's a little too soon, but we plan to have some sort of plan closer to school time around August."
[01:16]

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Portraying Martha Dunstock

Erin expresses her honor in playing Martha Dunstock, a pivotal character in Heathers:

"She is the type of person that just sees through rose-colored lenses always in the best way... She sees so much kindness and hope and goodness in everyone."
[01:41]

She emphasizes the importance of adding depth to Martha, ensuring she isn't a one-dimensional character:

"I really like to give this character a true world to live in... Just very fun and interesting to think about and to play with."
[02:45]

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Navigating the Character’s Name

The discussion shifts to Martha's challenging name, Martha Dunst:

"Her optimism is the biggest thing about. It's like, the best thing about her is that in the face of just the worst things possible, her optimism shines through."
[03:12]

Erin shares her initial struggles and eventual appreciation for Martha's unwavering positivity:

"From playing this character, there's so much that you can take from that, and it is just like seeing true goodness and kindness from people."
[04:35]

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Working with Director Andy Fickman

Erin talks about her collaboration with Andy Fickman, the production's director:

"But this was my first time working with him."
[04:58]

Despite Andy's impressive body of work, Erin felt at ease upon meeting him:

"From the moment I even auditioned... I felt so much at ease."
[05:38]
"It was just like, such fun, positive energy, such light..."
[05:41]

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Audition Process and Character Interpretation

A memorable part of Erin's audition experience involved reinterpreting a key song:

"The script said 'Kindergarten Boyfriend' was about power and it was happy... Just try it out."
[06:47]

Erin initially performed the song with a sad, mellow tone but adapted to the creators' vision of conveying empowerment:

"There’s something so touching about her finding power in what she's about to do rather than feeling the pain and the sorrow..."
[08:10]

She believes this interpretation adds depth and aligns better with Martha's character arc.

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Involvement of Show Creators in Rehearsals

Erin highlights the unique advantage of having the show’s creators present during rehearsals:

"Having the creators of a show in the room... you get to make sure you're staying within the realm while also being creative."
[09:14]

Both Larry and Kevin Murphy, the writers, were actively involved, offering valuable insights and fostering a collaborative environment:

"They were always there to give us notes and help us form this beautiful show that is now open."
[10:17]

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Viral TikTok Cover of "Creep"

Shifting focus to her personal achievements, Erin discusses her unexpected viral success:

"It started off... by the first day, it was like at 60k and... now that I've done it that way, I don't see it being played another way."
[10:36-11:23]

Her cover of Radiohead’s "Creep" amassed over 14 million views and 3.5 million likes on TikTok, showcasing her versatility beyond musical theater.

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Conclusion

Lauren wraps up the conversation by commending Erin's balance between her theatrical pursuits and social media presence:

"I love how you had that heading into this experience of Heather's for you and I thank you so much, Erin."
[12:03]

Erin expresses her gratitude, and the episode concludes with a heartfelt thank you from both sides.

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Key Takeaways:

• Erin Morton's Dedication: Erin demonstrates a profound commitment to bringing depth and authenticity to her role as Martha Dunstock in Heathers.

• Collaborative Creative Process: Working closely with director Andy Fickman and creators Larry and Kevin Murphy enriches the production, fostering a supportive and innovative environment.

• Versatility and Reach: Beyond the stage, Erin's viral TikTok cover of "Creep" highlights her multifaceted talent and ability to connect with a broader audience.

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This episode of BroadwayRadio offers an insightful glimpse into the life of a dedicated performer navigating the challenges and triumphs of Broadway productions while leveraging modern platforms to amplify her artistry.

Transcript

[A]

Hi, I'm Lauren Clash Schneider with Clash Notes for Broadway Radio. I'm here with Erin L. Morton performing as Martha Dunstock in Heathers at New World Stages. Hello and welcome.

[B]

Hi. Thanks so much for having me.

[A]

Of course. And for those who don't know, Heathers is a dark comedic rock musical based on the 1989 Culp felt film. It follows high school student Veronica Sawyer, a smart but unpopular girl who finds herself welcomed into the elite and ruthless clique of the Heathers, three beautiful and feared girls who rule Westburg High. As Veronica begins to question their cruel behavior, she falls for the mysterious new student JD Whose dangerous ideas about revenge spiral out of control. Well, first of all, you're a rising senior at Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. Is that accurate?

[B]

Yes, absolutely.

[A]

How many of your classmates have seen the show so far?

[B]

So far I've had three that have came in the last week.

[A]

Incredible. Is it too soon to know about your plans for finishing your degree?

[B]

A little too soon, but we plan to have some sort of plan closer to school time around August.

[A]

Wow. Well, Erin, you're inspiring so many other people who I know are wanting to follow in your foot, in your footsteps. And you're playing this iconic character, Martha Dunst, who's a pivotal character in the story. Tell us about her.

[B]

Absolutely. So I'm so honored to be playing this role. I've known about this show for quite a while now. It was one of the first shows that was introduced to me in my theater career and this character specifically, I grew up singing her song a lot and just resonating with her. She is the type of person that just sees through rose colored lenses always in the best way. She wants to be a part of a better world and she sees so much kindness and hope and goodness in everyone. And what I really like about, about playing Martha and about navigating this character is she can be very one dimensional if not thought about properly. And I really like to give this character a true world to live in. Like her, her family circumstances and why she is the way she is and why are, you know, unicorns, her favorite animal and things? Just very fun and, and interesting to think about and to play with.

[A]

Sure. She has the unfortunate name of being called Martha Dumtruck. How do you navigate that for her, knowing what her nature is like?

[B]

Yes. When we first started rehearsals, I had a talk with the director about this and prior to as well about navigating a character who is going through some circumstances like this, who has this, this name attached to her that Is like, not the. Well, that is a negative thing. And I think she knows how. How cruel that people can see. But her optimism is the biggest thing about. It's like, the best thing about her is that in the face of just the worst things possible, her optimism shines through. And she's able to say, like, I know you've been through a lot, and she gives everyone so much grace. And that. That's been really, like. It was. It was very challenging at first for me to. To figure out that just because you know me as a. As a human being, as a person, it's very hard to see someone go through something like that and. And still continue to have so much positivity. But I've found that from, like, playing this character that there's so much that you can take from that, and it is just like seeing true goodness and kindness from people and knowing that the reason that these things happen stems from so much more than just wanting to be bad people or mean people.

[A]

Right. Right. You talked about talking to the director. Of course. The production is directed by Andy Fickman. Had the two of you worked together before?

[B]

We have never worked together, but I have seen so, so much of his material that he's worked on since I was a child. Like, you know, he's directed the Game Plan, which was such a big popular movie when I was growing up, and Liv and Maddie, which was like, the Disney TV show that I would watch every day on Thursday or Friday, 7. 8pm Central. I just remember remembering all of these things that he's directed, so I know a lot about his work.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But this was my first time working with him.

[A]

Did you feel intimidated at all? No.

[B]

I think from. From the moment I even auditioned and I was able to meet the team, I felt like, so much at ease. I remember during my audition, he was like, you know, it can be intimidating. It can be scary. And I just remember thinking, like, actually, you guys are hilarious. I feel safe, and I feel like I'm having the best time. And it was the same energy that translated in the room once we got to rehearsals. It was just like, such fun, positive energy, such light, and. And I. I just. I was so inspired by the work that we were doing and. And the conversations that we were having about the show and about each of our characters and things like that. It was really great energy. So throughout.

[A]

Are there any memorable stories from that time during auditions that you might be able to share with us about how a character was discovered or how certain choices got made?

[B]

Absolutely. So when. When I First auditioned for the show, even. Even when I. When I knew about the show, the song. I've always thought of Martha, specifically the Kindergarten Boyfriend, as this, like, sad, mellow song. Because if you listen to it, I mean, the. The orchestration of it is. Is very, like, mellow and. And soft and like, grand. And always thought that. That there's a. There's a big build during the bridge that can be. Can seem like it is like a really dramatic and sad portion of the song. And I' like that when I submitted my tape, it was. It was. I did it that way where it was like, she kind of like, cries at the end. And when I got to the auditions and I was talking to Andy and Larry and Kevin, they gave me a little bit about their insight on the character in that, like, Kindergarten Boyfriend was a song about power and it was happy. And when they first said that, I was like, how can. How can this be happy? And they were like, I know it sounds crazy. Just try it out. And I was like, absolutely. So I. I was able to do it again and sing it with those notes in mine. And honestly, now that I've done it that way, I don't see it being played another way because there's something so touching about her finding power in what she's about to do rather than feeling the pain and the sorrow of what is happening in her life. She feels that if there is a way to go, this is the best way. And there's something that's really interesting in watching that interpretation of the song rather than what I chose before.

[A]

That's great. They have such insight. You were. You were referring to Kevin Murphy and Lawrence o', Keefe, who of course wrote the book, music and lyrics. And throughout rehearsal, were either of them in the room much? And what did that do to the rehearsal process for you?

[B]

Yes, they. They were always in the room from first day of rehearsal. The whole team was there. We had Andy, Larry and Kevin, which was. Was honestly the best thing ever. I think there's nothing like having the creators of a show in the room because you get to ask so many questions and you get to find so many things. You get to find the. Because this show is such a classic, you get to make sure you're staying within the realm while also being creative and finding your own journey through these characters. And they help you out. They were the kindest people to have in the room. It was. It was honestly a blessing to be able to have them in the room every day, just in case you had a question. Musically, or acting wise or whatever. And they were always there to, like, give us notes and help us form this beautiful show that is now open.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. How great. Okay. Unrelated to Heather's, but completely related to you. I've heard about a cover that you do of Radioheads Creep that has become quite popular. Will you tell us a little bit about that and how it might have an effect on you?

[B]

Yes, absolutely. So, yeah, I got to perform that. And I had a student who runs our CCM TikTok accounts that wanted to post material that wasn't musical theater related just to show that we do other things. And I was sent a clip of my video to make sure it was an okay to post. It was posted the next day. And then later on is when it all started to blow up and it all just got really, like, hectic and crazy and awesome and all the things.

[A]

So blow up, hectic and crazy. Give us some numbers.

[B]

So it started off at like, like the fir. By the first day, it was like at 60k and I woke up and I saw a lot of other people that were reposting and commenting and things. And I believe at this point it is now at 14 million views. It's insane. I think it's 14 million views and there's maybe like three. A little over 3.5 million likes. I believe it's on the CCM TikToks account and it's also on my account as well.

[A]

Well, I love how you had that heading into this experience of Heather's for you and I thank you so much, Aaron.

[B]

Thank you so much. Thank you.

[A]

I'm Lauren Klass Schneider with Erin L. Morton playing Martha Dunstock in Heather's at New World Stages. Thank you.