“Places, places!” Suddenly, everyone jumps up and runs to their designated place on or behind the set. They settle into formation with the anticipation building. The curtains part and the performance begins. The moment the first step onto the stage is taken, the nerves and jitters disappear. They are in the zone, and nothing can throw them off now.
Sophomore Colby Pennington participates in theater arts, choir, and radio and TV. Theater has been a part of Pennington’s life from a very young age.
“[I learned about my passion for acting] when I was in about second grade and saw my first show at Derby Dinner [Playhouse],” said Pennington.
One of the main reasons why theater has always been a major part of his life is because it can project his personality. He likes to be the center of attention and the entertainer, which allows theater to reflect him perfectly.
“[Acting] checks all the boxes for my personality,” said Pennington.
Participating in theater has become a regular activity in Pennington’s day-to-day life. At times, he has even participated in two plays at once.
“I just find [acting] fun, and I’m just gonna keep doing it till I die,” said Pennington.
Pennington is very passionate about theater, which is why he continues to do it. Passion drives performance, and that is something that is needed to bring production together. According to Pennington, acting can enhance someone’s character.
“If you’re [acting] because you’re passionate about it, yes, [acting does make you a better person] because you feel happy when doing it. If you’re [acting] because someone made you do it, no, not really. You’re just there to do it. So, it really only depends on why you’re there [as to if it makes you a better person],” said Pennington.
Last year, Pennington received the role of Jerry Jubilee in Floyd Central High School’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. However, this wasn’t Pennington’s first show.
“My first community theater show was A Christmas Story. I was also in The Grapes of Wrath, The Drowsy Chaperone, A Christmas Carol, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” said Pennington.
According to former castmate sophomore Chloe Schultheis, Pennington’s experience helps him be the best at his roles and helps him to develop the character to make it his own. Watching performances can help him get in touch with his character at times. Pennington pushes himself because he knows the potential of what he can achieve.
“The more experience you have, the more you know. There is always more room to learn, and I think that’s what Colby does best is he knows that there is more to know and he attempts to learn more, so he can be the best he can be,” said Schultheis.
Pennington not only impacts the overall production but also impacts those around him.
“He is a very happy person to be around, and he is always lifting your spirits. He’s constantly hyping other people up and just knows how to make everyone laugh. It’s just a good environment that he keeps around everyone,” said sophomore castmate Anna Green.
According to Pennington, theater is a way to bring people together. It brings the actual cast closer together. Additionally, it brings those watching the production together as well.
“People who go to see shows are there for the same reason for the most part, which is to watch a show or to have fun. When you’re having fun in the same environment, everybody just forgets about their problems at home or their problems in general and they’re all just watching the same thing, having a grand old time,” said Pennington.
The FC play cast only gets around two months to obtain a stage-ready production. Pennington always works hard towards the production and tries to make the audience feel like the show is real.
“[Colby’s dedication is] absolutely insane. He is extremely dedicated as soon as he finds out about an audition. He is willing to put his whole self into the production, and he’s extremely dedicated to every single little thing that he does in the show,” said Green.
Pennington plans to continue to partake in school plays and community theater.
“[Community theater will help make Colby’s acting even better because] when you’re acting in school shows you are around your peers. So it’s a lot different of a community when you’re around people who have been doing it for so much longer than you have. And it really pushes you to do as well as they’re doing or maybe even do better,” said Green.
As Pennington intends to remain in the entertainment industry, he will gain even more valuable experience, opening up more opportunities within the theater community. Schultheis believes this will help him to reach his full potential.