Class of 2014 Beyond the Page Theatre Company Alumni
Eliza Lore (2014)
University Of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music: BFA in Dramatic Performance
“It wasn’t until I started college that I realized what an impact Clark and the West Potomac High School Theatre Department would have on me. As a freshman in a conservatory program, I am constantly busy, never standing still. The theatre department at West Potomac helped trained me for that. Clark always had us moving, working on projects that were out of our comfort zone. The West Potomac Theatre Department helped me learn integrity, dedication, and commitment, and I am happy to be able to carry that around with me throughout my life."
Tegan Wilson (2014)
Carleton College, Undecided Major
"Theatre at West Potomac captured my attention (and my time) so much more than I imagined. It has helped me to become more friendly and outgoing, and has pushed me to think about and stand up for what I truly want in life. Despite the fact that I could never act as a profession, I will always continue to love theatre and encourage others to do so as well, as it has been so important to my personal development through high school, and has changed me in many ways for the better. "
Peter Serle (2014)
Studying at NOVA to pursue an education degree at a 4 year university
"I've always been a student who had trouble focusing and keeping attention in classes. Clark was extremely patient with me (more so than I deserved) and through the Beyond The Page Theatre Company of West Potomac, I grew into a better student, a better actor, a better singer, and a better person. I spent countless hours in Springbank rehearsing, studying, working, and having fun. It was an incredible program, and seeing it grow through my 4 years in it was nothing short of magical. We were the little department that could, going from Cappies shows with only 10 people, into the most talked about High School theatre show of the year, that I had the pleasure to lead as King Arthur. From a theatre sports team with only 6 members, into 12, with a nice club to boot. I'll never forget Springbank, and all the memories forged there, and I'll never forget Clark, who made me into who I am today. I may not be a part of West Potomac anymore, but I'll always be a Thespian, a Great Whale, a student of theatre, and excellence will always be my ideal."
Eddie Perez (2014)
The College of William and Mary, Undeclared Major
"After having completed my four years of high school, I can't really say that the West Potomac Theatre Department changed my life. I honestly think that a more accurate statement would be 'The West Potomac Theatre Department WAS my life'. If I were to make a list of my fondest high school memories, about 90% of them would be something I did either onstage, or off stage with friends I had made in the department. Not only do the shows here kick ass, but more importantly, the people here kick ass, and I felt like the theatre department was one of the few places where I could truly and comfortably be myself, without fear of judgement, both onstage and off. I'm not saying that I expect everyone to be as big of a theatre nerd as I was, but if you attend West Po, and don't somehow get involved in AT LEAST one of the shows here, you're seriously missing out."
Shelbi Pullen (2014)
Christopher Newport University, Biology and Political Science
"Being involved with West Potomac theatre was an outstanding experience. Whether I was on the stage or off I knew that I was a part of an amazing program that has no limit as to where it will go. I will never forget how much this department meant to me and all that it pushed me to be. Although I am not acting at the time, this department made me confident enough to have what I can only think of as a "stage presence" in everything I do.Being involved with West Potomac theatre was an outstanding experience. Whether I was on the stage or off I knew that I was a part of an amazing program that has no limit as to where it will go. I will never forget how much this department meant to me and all that it pushed me to be. Although I am not acting at the time, this department made me confident enough to have what I can only think of as a "stage presence" in everything I do. "
Kristi Thomas (2014)
University of Rochester, Business Major
"West Potomac Theater was something that I joined on a whim. I had never taken a theater class before, and I was just looking to have some fun with a few of the friends after school. Imagine my surprise then, when I found a family. The people of the West Potomac Theater Company are a group of wonderful, talented, and accepting people who know how to get things done. Every performance and their best, because the group is constantly evolving, growing, and thriving. I am SO thankful that I joined this group because it pushed me to do things that I didn't think that I could. Theater at West Potomac pushed me to be better than I am, to try things that I never would have on my own, and taught me to shoot for the stars without fear of falling."
Anjum Choudhury (2014)
University of Hartford, BFA in Music Theatre
"I decided to pursue musical theatre without having any idea what I was getting in to. At the time, I hadn't done a show for over two years and had next to no background with the field; I just knew that I loved it and had to give it a shot. So I hopped into WHPS theatre without a second thought, and it's one of the best decisions that I made in high school. It prepared me so well and in even just two years of doing it, I learned so much. Clark is a truly amazing and inspiring teacher and I cannot thank him enough. Without him and the program, I don't know where I would be or what I would be doing right now. It's thanks to WPHS theatre that I'm in a competitive BFA program and thriving."
Dan Evans (2014)
Columbia College Chicago, TV and Improv Entertainment
"Ok, so everyone looks back at high school, and thinks one of two things. They could think, “wow, that was a total waste of time, I’m so glad those awkward moments of life are done.” Or they think “High school was the greatest time of my life, I was fit, I was handsome, I had hair, I would go back and live those days in an instant”. Well, I have discovered the secret THIRD recollection of high school. When I look back at my time spent at West potomac Theatre, I say “I lived, I learned, and I found a passion. I’d love to go back and relive those memories, but I’m far too busy trying to continue what I started”. I did some really fun things in High school. I was in my first (non shakespearian) play, Inherit the Wind, I wrote one Acts, I performed my first dramatic role in Dracula, I was painted green for my first musical EVER Young Frankenstein, I learned to tap dance, I played all sorts of goofy characters in Avenue Q and Spamalot. And I was a member and captain of the famous Great Whales Improv troupe. I helped write history along side the close friends I made over the years but most importantly, I found what’s worth doing in life. I plan on attending classes and auditioning for the Second City Improv troupe here in Chicago. I aspire to write TV that’s worth tuning in for, and I plan on doing more Stand up in the city. A goal I never would have though possible had I not learned to leap from my comfort zone time to time in Theatre class. I never thought anything would impact my life the way Beyond the Page did. Clark gave me all the tools I needed to build a future, and I’m determined to make it a future to remember. Doing what I love got me this far, now it’s time to see just how far I can take it."