RAHWAY’S PERFORMING ARTS STARS

By: Edir Coronado
Over the summer the Paper Mill Playhouse selected aspiring theater students to participate in a 5-week Musical Theatre Conservatory, where they undergo a gauntlet of workshops in dancing, improvisation, and acting to name a few. The program ends in a grand presentation by the students. They performed New Voices of 2016: Everything Old Is New Again.
The City of Rahway is home to a couple of those students selected, like 14-year-old Brandon Grajales who delved into the world of performing art in the 5th grade. The first area of performing arts he participated in was the Select Chorus, here Brandon would partake in as many solos and concerts as he could. When Brandon reached the 7th grade he was cast in his first play at the 7th and 8th grade academy, where Brandon’s love for performing arts grew.
Brandon views his sister as the inspirational force that pushes him forward towards his dreams of joining Rahway High School’s Performing Arts Program, and beyond, as she too is keen to the performing arts world. Brandon enjoys performing arts because it allows him to use his voice and tell a story through acting in front large crowds. The power of storytelling is important to Brandon and a good life lesson hidden in a play is part of the reason he is drawn to the art form. “Music touches me,” expressed Brandon; he understands most people might feel the same way, but to Brandon music allows him to get through his struggles.
While Brandon is in the beginning of his high school career another Paper Mill Playhouse Conservatory pupil has just completed his. Michael Akakpo is 18 years old and just graduated from Rahway High School, he is a dance enthusiast. He enjoys the variety that comes with dance, “there are so many forms and styles,” explained Michael. In Michael’s high school career, he has been in 8 different shows, but recounts his show in middle school, Aladdin. School director Allison Dooley and musical director Robert Vanwyk are credited with inspiring this young dancer. “Every year they do what they love with the resources they’re given, inspiring kids and creating performers,” expressed Michael. Michael will now be venturing off to Johnson and Wakes University where he will be majoring in media communications, simultaneously auditioning for shows in the Big Apple.
“The Paper Mill Playhouse Theater Conservatory has made me look through a different perspective of the performing arts,” stated Brandon. “Although it’s a lot of work, we know we’re working towards our dreams,” expressed Michael. These artists do not have any hurdles they cannot leap and seem bound for success.