What years did you attend WAA?
I was a part of multiple Woodlawn Arts Academy productions from 2009-2017.
What program(s) did you participate in at WAA?
I participated in six junior musicals, a Shakespeare in the Park production, and two musicals performed on the outdoor stage at Woodlawn Arts Academy. I also took voice lessons.
How did WAA make a lasting impression and impact on you?
Woodlawn Arts Academy helped me grow both as a performer and an individual. As an 11-year-old who thought he might be interested in theatre, I was able to work with amazing educators and directors who helped me explore this passion and make incredible memories on stage. They helped me find my voice (literally and figuratively), taught me valuable lessons about performing on a stage, and encouraged me to continue working and improving – all while creating a genuinely fun and welcoming environment.
Aside from being on stage, my time at Woodlawn Arts Academy helped me learn valuable skills in working as a team, building trust and relationships with others, and responsibility. My directors worked hard to make sure our cast would make genuine connections and look forward to working together. We learned that every cast member had an important role to play, and that by coming together we can create an amazing product. It was our responsibility to learn lines, choreography, and music so that when we all ended up on that stage together, we would trust each other to come together and put on the best show we could.
What areas of study did you pursue after your time at WAA?
After my time at Woodlawn, I received my undergraduate degree in communication studies and English, with a minor in journalism. After that, I received my master’s degree in communication studies. Though these areas may not be directly associated with singing on stage, the skills I learned at Woodlawn Arts Academy are still present: public speaking, being able to absorb the necessary information for meetings and projects, and working with others to accomplish a shared goal.
What are your current arts related job/career?
I am the Digital Marketing Specialist for Hitachi Global Air Power, based out of Chicago. I create content for their social media platforms, as well as create and manage our digital advertising efforts.
Do you feel that your time at WAA is a direct reflection on your current position/career path?
I absolutely feel that my time at Woodlawn Arts Academy played a role in my current position. When working on digital advertisements or social media content, creativity and curiosity are a must. What will customers respond to, and how can we stand out? The educators and directors at Woodlawn Arts Academy always encouraged us to let our creativity and curiosity guide us in making character choices and discovering how we can make the most of our space to create strong performances. They listened to ideas, suggestions, and encouraged us to keep finding new approaches. The creativity encouraged at Woodlawn also benefits me in directing photography and videography necessary for our marketing efforts.
On top of that, my time at Woodlawn Arts Academy helped build my confidence in public speaking, leadership, and being able to successfully take on tasks. My directors handed an 11-year-old Evan a script and said to memorize all my lines before our show in a few months – that was pretty daunting at the time! But with their encouragement and trust in my ability, I was able to learn how I work most effectively and know that I can handle different responsibilities thrown my way.
Now, when I’m asked to create a report to present to an executive, I have more confidence that I can take on this task and find a way to succeed. When it comes to these presentations, my time on stage at Woodlawn helps me feel more comfortable in my ability to effectively communicate my strategies, achievements, and thoughts about how the marketing team can operate in the future.
