What brought you into acting?
I’ve been acting for about 4 years, since my 6th grade musical. I saw a few musicals here at the high school when I was younger. I was always like ‘I want to be up there. I want to be a part of that.’ It seemed fun, so when the opportunity came around in 6th grade I took it. I did one all of middle school in the spring but I haven’t done one at the high school. I like acting because it is such a fun thing to do. To get out there, perform in front of an audience, have them cheer you on. It’s just such a thrilling experience.
When did you start acting outside of school and where?
I started acting in the spring of 2024 at Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy. I went to go see my friend, Aidan Lavery, in Elf at Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy and I thought it would be really cool if I did stuff there instead of just the one musical a year at the school.
Why did you choose Creative Grounds?
It is a very welcoming place. It is Christian, which is my religion, so it’s very welcoming and very nice. It is run by very kind people.
What musicals have you done and are you currently doing?
I have done The Wizard of Oz, Something Rotten! Jr., Beauty and the Beast, Oliver!, Hadestown, and I’m currently doing Newsies. I’ve played Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Bill Sikes in Oliver!, and Hades in Hadestown. I’ve mostly played the villain in all of them except for The Wizard of Oz and Newsies. In The Wizard of Oz I was the Emerald City Guard and in Newsies I am Davey.
What has been your favorite musical you’ve ever done and your favorite character you’ve ever played?
My favorite musical I’ve ever done is definitely Hadestown. There was a cast of amazing performers and I just had so much fun filming and acting in it. Same thing with my favorite character: Hades, in Hadestown. I love his songs and his voice range. It’s my prime voice range. He’s just a really fun character overall.
Who in the acting world has been your biggest inspiration?
This is a difficult one. I would like to say Hugh Jackman for his roles in Les Misérables in 2012 and The Greatest Showman. He’s a guy who balances theater and acting at the same time. But, more recently it has been Patrick Page. Both have also been on Broadway.
What are your plans for the future?
I am trying as hard as I can to get onto Broadway someday because that is what I want to pursue later in life. I just enjoy it so much. I do want to go to college. I haven’t made a decision yet but I’m eyeing a few such as Baldwin Wallace, IU, and Ball State.
