Sarah Duggan is a high soprano who loves to sing and has appeared in many musicals from Boothbay to Waldoboro. She is currently portraying Claire Holmes in the production of “The Secret Garden” now running at the Waldo Theater. The music for the show is performed by an orchestra conducted by Sean Fleming.

“I like the operatic-like music in the play,” Duggan said. “Claire is part of the ensemble who are ghosts. We sort of wisp on and wisp off. I sing in quartets, have some lines (dialogue) and solo verses in some songs.”

Duggan admits that she prefers rehearsal to the performance.

“I like the comraderie among the cast and being with people,” Duggan said.

Actors often learn something new for each production – either for their character or about themselves. In Duggan's case during “Secret Garden” it was learning to waltz.

“It was hard to learn; we couldn't look at our feet,” Duggan said.

This Boothbay Harbor resident discovered her love of singing when she was in the first few years of elementary school.

Duggan's first took voice lessons with Mary Miller at Boothbay Region Elementary School in the fourth grade. She was a pupil of Ginny Bishop, Linda Blanchard (Sean Fleming's wife) and, since 2007, Beth Preston. Duggan attended the University of Maine at Augusta and took additional voice lessons with Tim Johnson.

“All of my electives were voice lessons,” Duggan said.

Other shows, post-school, she has appeared in are “Oklahoma,” “Anything Goes,” “Brigadoon,” “No, No Nanette,” and “Hello Dolly” (also at the Waldo Theater) and “HMS Pinafore” in March with Lincoln County Community Theater.

But her dream musical is “My Fair Lady.” Duggan said she has already suggested the show to John Mulcahy at LCCT. In addition to the songs, she is attracted to the costumes worn in the musical that takes place in Edwardian era London.

Locally, last winter Duggan sang at the Opera House during the winter Cabaret Nights with Nancy Grace Dersham with accompaniment by pianist Kevin Kiley.

After “The Secret Garden” run is over, she will perform at her cousin's wedding accompanied by Sean Fleming.

Duggan hopes to do more recitals, in addition to those at the end of each voice lesson session, and maybe some other weddings. Winter is a slow time theater-wise for this songbird because fall productions are usually of the non-musical variety.

Why does she like to sing? “It makes me happy, it always makes me feel happy.”

When she isn't performing or taking voice lessons Duggan spends her time making jewelry. She is also a longtime collector of antique jewelry.

Duggan says she has traveled 1,500 miles driving to Waldoboro for rehearsals three times a week for this show. And it's worth every mile.

Duggan has worked with “Secret Garden” director Sue Ghoryeb in the past and thinks Ghoryeb does a great job.

“Sue has good ideas, she's creative and very good with costumes,” Duggan said. “And she does the sets, too. Really, she's everything rolled into one.”

“The Secret Garden” remaining dates are Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 4. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for children under 12. They can be reserved by calling 207-832-6060. They are also on sale at the Maine Coast Book Store on Main Street in Damariscotta. The Waldo Theater is located at 916 Main Street in Waldoboro.