Embedded Files
Roosevelt High School student, DeAndre Williams, discusses his participation in the school's Theatre and Drama department— and how it's changed his life.
High school theatre is often taken for granted. Many don't realize just how much courage it takes to get up on stage in front of everyone and perform— especially as an adolescent. DeAndre Williams has been participating in theatre at Roosevelt High School since his freshman year, and claims it has changed him for the better.
"'Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind' was the first show I was in," He says. "I think it was the perfect production for newcomers to theatre, especially freshmen, because it was a series of mini-plays with no 'lead roles'. Everyone got to play a part and felt like they were included. It was also a lot of fun. It helped me grow my confidence as a freshman, and I met most of my closest friends through it."
DeAndre as "La Cienega" in Bring It On the musical by Rosa Workman
DeAndre by Rosa Workman
As we return to live theatre in person after isolating due to the Covid-19 pandemic, DeAndre's love for theatre is more prevalent then ever. He is now a junior, and a member of the Roosevelt Thespian troupe officers. He has been a part of every theatre production that's been put on since he was a freshman, including the virtual performances .
"I tried my best to help keep theatre alive during lockdown, but it wasn't easy," he says. "I can understand why people didn't wanna participate at the time. I mean, sometimes I didn't even want to do it. It just wasn't the same." Needless to say, he, as well as many others, are very happy to be back in person. "So much of the theatre arts is about that live connection with your fellow actors and the audience. That's one of the things that makes it so special."
The pandemic clearly had a big affect on theatre at Roosevelt. "Our 2020 Spring musical, 'Bring it On', was sadly cut short after the first 3 nights. It was heartbreaking, especially after how much time and hard work we had put into it," DeAndre says. "Thankfully, now that we're back, our theatre department has been more powerful than ever."
Roosevelt's most recent production, running for 6 nights in March, was "Mamma Mia!" the musical, and according to DeAndre, it was a huge success. "I'm so happy that I got be a part of it, playing the role of 'Ali', and the show's dramaturg. Everything about it, our cast, tech crew, choreography, even the set, was just incredible. I can safely say it really blew everyone away."
Theatre is a big part of many student's lives, especially DeAndre's. "Theatre gives me a purpose," he claims. "It’s the reason I get up and go to school everyday, even if I hate school sometimes, or maybe I’ve had a bad day, I get to the theatre, get up on that stage, and it’ll just be infinitely better. I am so grateful to get to be a part of something so special."
Also DeAndre by Rosa Workman
By Rosa Workman
Roosevelt High School
Published May 3, 2022
Report abuse