– The Broadway Musical Enthusiast
“I love acting because I can play another person and have an audience watching, and I like the feeling after the show ends.”
Meet Jacob B. (’35), a Grade 1 student who has a great passion for acting and watching Broadway musicals. A big fan of Shrek the Musical, Jacob watched the HS performance twice and had the chance to perform with the G12 actor who played Shrek in front of his class recently.
Here is Jacob’s story:
Tell us about yourself. Where are you from?
I’m six years old and come from Hong Kong and New York. I enjoy being outside and relaxing; my favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry!
How long have you been at ISKL?
I’ve been here since Prep Junior.
We understand you have a passion and love for acting, watching Broadway musicals, and are in an acting club – can you tell us more about that?
Some of the musicals I have been to are Aladdin and Wicked. Whenever I go home to New York, I watch a musical – my favorite is Wicked! I enjoy the acting part in the musicals, especially the singing and dancing.
As for acting, I like the exciting plots and the fact that you can be anyone. I started acting when I was three years old.
I have taken part in the After School Activity (ASA) “Story and Acting Craft” since last year, where you perform and choose what character you want to be. I love acting because I can play another person and have an audience watching, and I like the feeling after the show ends.
We understand you have watched the HS production of Shrek the Musical and the Broadway version. Which one do you think is better – and why?
I watched the HS Shrek performance twice (my mom brought me): on the matinee and the last day. I enjoyed the singing in the first part, and my favorite character is Shrek. If I could be in this musical, I would like to play the main character, Shrek.
The HS Shrek musical was better than the Broadway version because I like the voice of Shrek.
How did you feel about meeting Tejas, the Grade 12 student and actor who played Shrek, in your classroom?
It was exciting as I got to perform with him, but also nervous because I was meeting a new person. I memorized some of the Donkey character’s lines and acted with Tejas in front of my class that day.
Tell us about your hobbies and interests – what do you do after school?
I like watching plays, playing Lego, coloring, and hugging my little brother. I am now working on opening a shop where we sell my own coloring work – and I am leading this project.
What do you like most about going to ISKL?
I like ASAs and the specials such as World Language and Art.
If you could be any character from a movie/book, who would it be, and why?
Harry Potter because he is powerful and has a wand.
Tell us about your future job; what do you want to be when you grow up?
Probably performing on Broadway or even becoming an artist.
What does “Know yourself, care for all, and create a better world” mean to you?
Throwing out trash, helping people who need it, taking care of the earth and this place, and being kind.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff who always have an anecdote to tell, love to share some insights into their passions and interest, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.
