Viewfinder: Concordia Parish students find friendship in play
Published 12:09 am Tuesday, September 9, 2014
![Concordia Parish Academy fourth-grader McKenzie Davis and fellow fourth-grader Camryn Jackson put their arms around each other during play practice. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)](https:https://www.natchezdemocrat.com//wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2014/09/090914_Viewfinder2MAIN_web_SG.jpg)
Concordia Parish Academy fourth-grader McKenzie Davis and fellow fourth-grader Camryn Jackson put their arms around each other during play practice. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)
Editor’s note: The Viewfinder is a weekly feature in which a photographer tells a story through the lens of a camera.
VIDALIA — Camryn Jackson and McKenzie Davis are attached at the hip — on and off the stage.
Having each other to lean on takes the nerves off the Concordia Parish Academy of Math, Science and Technology students in preparation for their upcoming performance.
“She is my best friend, my No. 1,” said Davis of Jackson.
Jackson returned the sentiment.
![Concordia Parish Academy fourth-grader McKenzie Davis, left, looks at best friend and fellow fourth-grader Camryn Jackson, right, as she practices her lines during “Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood” play practice Thursday. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)](https:https://www.natchezdemocrat.com//wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2014/09/090914_Viewfinder1_web_SG-300x199.jpg)
Concordia Parish Academy fourth-grader McKenzie Davis, left, looks at best friend and fellow fourth-grader Camryn Jackson, right, as she practices her lines during “Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood” play practice Thursday. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)
Even though they are young, both landed big roles in the school’s fall production of “Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood.”
“They are such fun little hams,” said Jennifer Jeffers, co-director of the play and school Spanish teacher. “Both girls are very musically inclined.”
Jackson is playing the evil queen and Davis is playing medium purple riding hood.
With bigger roles brings more time on stage, more lines and more nerves. Jackson and Davis have worked together to diffuse some of those jitters and it has just made them better friends.
“We talk to each other about what is going on in the play and help each other memorize our lines,” Davis said.
Jackson, who has been in the chorus for a previous play, said she is less nervous because of the preparation they have done this time around.
“Now, I am excited to perform,” she said. “ I was so scared before.”
Throughout play practice, the only time Jackson is not within arms distance of Davis is when they are on stage.
The rest of the time they are giggling, whispering and reading lines.
“They are attached at the hip,” Jeffers said.
Even though Jackson and Davis are some of the youngest students with bigger roles in the play, Jeffers thinks their charisma and playfulness rubs off on the other students participating.
“They are great leaders around the school and in the play,” she said. “We love them.”