By STEPHANIE GARCIA
Beaming lights flood the stage. The audience before him is barely visible, but when the curtains open, all eyes will be on this confident performer. As the crew makes its last minute preparations, the young man shows no signs of anxiety. This actor is completely at ease; the seasoned pro has been here before. With a deep breath, the stage is revealed, and the first act begins.
Senior Tyler Conrady is no stranger to the drama department. A four year veteran, Conrady has starred in numerous productions ranging from You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Ensemble Character, 2010) to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka, 2011), and this fall, he will take on a leading role as Robert Renfield in Dracula, Oct. 20-22.
“I want to make this character the best that I can. This show is going to be really challenging for me. I’m playing an insane character and I want it to come off as such,” Conrady said.
To Conrady, this rendition of Dracula is far more appealing and entertaining than its traditional counterpart.
He is immersing himself in the role, altering his appearance by losing weight and dying his hair to display a more menacing aura. Conrady always hopes to make an impression with the characters he plays and urges the student body to not only attend this production, but all plays for the remainder of the season.
“The shows we’re doing this year have the same feel, but in a sense are completely different. We have bigger sets and bigger character pieces. In the spring, we’re doing Once Upon A Mattress, a musical rendition of The Princess and the Pea, and Evening of Entertainment, the showcase for our district events (Duet Musical: “Terminal Illness,” Duet Scene: The Rabbit Hole), is always fun. Everyone should check it out,” Conrady said.
Last year, Conrady won Best in Show at Districts for his two contrasting monologues from Birds of Prey and Wake Up and Smell the Coffee, an honor Conrady considers to be his greatest achievement.
Another landmark of his junior year occurred two months later when the large group musical, “Step in Time,” received Best In Show at States.
Among all the productions Conrady has been a part of, The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged is his favorite. The show resonates in his memory not because of its comedic satire or world renowned material but due to the small cast that made the production possible.
“It wasn’t the product of ten million people; it was the product of eight or nine. Since it was such a small cast, you had the opportunity to bond. It was a good show and it’s interesting to say just a few of us did it,” Conrady said.
When thinking of drama, the word performance comes to mind.
However, Conrady enjoys theatre for another reason; drama has not only improved his acting but made him a more empathetic and sensitive individual.
He relishes the opportunity to connect with people and tap into his own emotions.
Conrady describes being on stage as an outer body experience and hopes to pursue acting as a profession.
After graduation Conrady will major in Television and Film at Valencia College with a minor in Theatre. Eventually, he plans on moving to Los Angeles, the center of the entertainment industry, to embark on a career in film and television.
“Of course I’m going to continue acting. I don’t plan on doing anything else,” Conrady said.
//