Millennial Productions Stranger Sings! || Emily Rohweder

The Fame Reporter interviewed charismatic performer Emily Rohweder starring in Millennial Productions’ Stranger Sings at the Ron Hurley Theatre from 19 to 26 April.

We had the thrilling opportunity to sit down with Emily and talk about her role in Stranger Sings, wanting to push boundaries in theatre, justice for Barb and more.

Welcome to The Fame Reporter Emily, Barb Holland became an iconic character in the original Stranger Things series. How do you approach portraying Barb in Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical, and what unique aspects do you bring to the role?
Barb is me, I am Barb—striving to be a loyal friend, not always sure of herself in moments of confrontation, but willing to let insults roll off her back to keep the peace with Nancy. I bring my dry sense of humour to the role and a willingness to look absolutely ridiculous in the name of comedy.

A homemade Demogorgon sock puppet might even make an appearance. At the heart of it, I just really love giving Barb the voice and presence she didn’t get the first time around.

Stranger Sings! is all about “getting justice for Barb.” How does this theme influence your performance, and what does it mean to you personally to give Barb the justice she deserves?
Knowing that justice is coming for Barb lets me really commit to playing two contrasting sides of her journey—being seen as “just Nancy’s dorky, lame best friend” while knowing she’s got a big moment ahead.

I lean into her forgiving spirit, even when others don’t treat her fairly, because she’ll get her turn. It’s extremely empowering to reclaim her story with humour, sass, and heart.

We’ve all felt left behind or alone while growing up, so Justice for Barb is a chance for her—and for me—to say everything she was too afraid to say the first time around.

‘Barb’s Turn’ is a significant number in the show. Can you share insights into preparing for this performance and what it represents within the narrative?
“Barb’s Turn” was a real challenge in the best way. I had to learn new vocal warm-ups and techniques to be able to sing, dance, act, and be funny all at once.

At this point in the show, Barb has found herself. She’s proud of being dorky and lame and doesn’t let the Upside Down—or Nancy and Steve—get the better of her. She uses all of that as fuel, and steps fully into her power.

Parodying a beloved series like Stranger Things offers both challenges and opportunities. How do you balance honoring the original material while infusing comedic elements unique to the musical?
We’ve definitely heightened the absurdity with humour, but everything we do is rooted in the original characters and their personalities.

We honour the spirit of Stranger Things by playing the truth of the characters, and the comedy often comes from the things that haven’t been said—or the parts of the story that were overlooked.

It’s all done with a lot of love and a good dose of ridiculousness.

In the original Stranger Things, Barb’s storyline was cut short. How does this musical reinterpret her character, and what new dimensions do you explore in your portrayal of her?
The musical gives Barb the spotlight she never got in the original series. She’s still the same loyal, nerdy best friend, but now we get to see what happens when she actually gets the story arc.

There’s more confidence, more humour, and way more justice. I’ve loved exploring the parts of her that were only hinted at before—her strength, her frustrations, and the fire she had all along.

Can you share a particularly memorable or humorous moment from rehearsals that stands out to you?
Every rehearsal and lunch break has been a joy. What’s really stood out for me is how collaborative the whole experience has been. Everyone brings their ideas to the table, and there’s a real sense of play. That energy has made this process both hilarious and really special.

Reflecting on your previous work, whether it be in Stranger Sings! or other productions like Legally Blonde or Heathers, how have you evolved as an actor? What skills or lessons from your past roles have you brought to your portrayal of Barb?
I’ve come leaps and bounds in learning to trust my own abilities—even though I still doubt them sometimes! Most of the roles I’ve played in the past have been characters who are very sure of themselves and what they want, and that’s taught me a lot.

With Barb, I wanted to bring a sense of truth and familiarity—because not all of us relate to going to Harvard or joining the Peace Corps or being a Transylvanian housekeeper. We can definitely relate to feeling left out and learning to embrace who we are.

Having taken on the role of Barb, are there any specific characters or genres you’re interested in exploring in future theatrical projects? How do you see your career evolving?
I’m less focused on specific characters or genres and more excited to try for roles that I like, whether or not there’s a cookie-cutter “me” role in the show.

I want to play more, push boundaries, and see more plus-size and non-binary actors leading shows—not just being the sidekick. There’s so much joy in getting to rewrite those expectations. Or maybe a villain.

For fans of both Stranger Things and musical theater, what can they look forward to in Stranger Sings! that makes it a must-see production? How does this show speak to both the heart of the original series and the excitement of musical comedy?
There’s so much for fans to love—an epic final battle between the Demogorgon and Eleven, justice for Barb (if you’ve ever felt like she deserved more, this is for you), killer songs, Easter eggs galore with so many references to Stranger Things, the ’80s, and musical theatre.