Sophomore Dylan Eecklor, a member in the Shadow Ridge High School theatre program has officially been selected to be a part of two Broadway programs, Stage Arts and Broadway Evolved, located in New York which begin this summer. For the young performer, this has marked a significant milestone in her high school career.
The process was not easy for Eecklor. To apply, students were required to submit a self-taped audition which consisted of a 32-bar cut of any musical theatre song of their choice. The audition was more than just showcasing their vocal range, but also having them state who they were, why they wanted to be there, and why they would be an asset to the program.
The biggest obstacle she faced was the feeling of doubt. Although she had confidence, there was still that thought in the back of her mind that questioned whether or not she was good enough. To ensure she sent in the best recording, she shot multiple attempts to make sure it was the best it could be. While the anxiety and pressure she felt for the actual audition was over, she still had to wait to hear back from them and once she finally received the amazing news, she was ecstatic.
Eecklor stated, “When I found out I was accepted into the program, I was thrilled! I messaged everyone instantly to share my excitement with them. I am so overly grateful to have been one of the selected few accepted.”
Her biggest supporters through it all have always been her family. They have never stopped pushing and encouraging her to be the best version of herself that she could be.
Looking ahead, Eecklor is most excited to meet the instructors. She has been keeping up with their social media for a while and they have been some of her biggest inspirations. The more she watches them show their art and talent to the world, it makes her aspire to do the same. For Eecklor, this experience will be very transformative, as she’ll be able to gain insight on what it’s like to be a professional performer. Not only will it show her all of the fun that goes on on and off of the stage, but it will also show her that everything comes with some type of struggle. It’ll show her that when people work hard enough, the end result is always rewarding and it’ll help motivate her to keep pushing even when things get tough.
Eecklor stated, “This program is setting me up for success in the profession I always dreamed of, performing on Broadway. It is an amazing way to learn new skills and to prepare for the career I have chosen.”
Theatre and performing in general can be very scary for others because of how many eyes are on them, but it’s all about remaining confident and consistent with the work.
Eecklor stated, “My advice would be to never give up hope. The arts are very subjective and you’re not always going to get into everything but just because you might not, doesn’t mean that you should stop trying. Have the motivation to keep pursuing what you love and to never give up. Try everything you can.”
As she prepares to step into this new chapter of her life, Eecklor serves as an inspiring reminder that with hard work, a supportive community, and confidence, the stage is set for greatness.
