Student Spotlight: In the Moment with Lucas Booth
By Katie McEldowney
Cue lights, pull the curtain…..
Theater is an art; it holds tales and passion, requiring both the intricacy of skill and heart to succeed. Lucas Booth, a Junior at Owasso High School, has proven he has such passion and inspiration for the practice. The Owasso theater department recently went to state with their knockout of a stage production, Booth placing 3rd by the end of it.
Lucas Booth, Junior
Lucas is known by many as a talented student; he is passionate about acting and remains open to discussion on such. “It started in eighth grade, and I’ve been in it ever since.”
Still, not all was set in stone. “I don’t really know why I joined. I guess I thought it would be a blow off class, but I actually ended up really enjoying it. I had a really good teacher, so it was easy.”
When questioned about his thoughts on state, he had this to say: “I felt amazing, it was amazing that we were even at State. We hadn’t gotten that far in 10 years! I just remember smiling so much, and it didn’t really hit me until I got on the bus. I just laughed out loud, I was really proud of our show; it’s a really powerful show.”
Powerful as it may have been, the production was not without its controversies. The plot revolves around the topic of school shootings, attempting to tackle all the painful consequences of such a traumatizing experience. “It’s a really hard thing to talk about,” Such only urged the discussion, according to Booth. “If you don’t talk about it, then nothing gets done.”
“What do you feel onstage when you’re reading a monologue?”
“While off stage, you’re nervous. Always worrying about this scene, trying to remember your first line. Then you get on stage… and everything just flows. We call it ‘being in the moment’. It’s invigorating-- all your worries go away and you just feel.”
While Lucas spoke, there was a passion to his words. It was very inspiring to hear, as is anything in which one relents their beloved goals.
Such is one of singular obsessions, but not without support. “My parents are very encouraging. You can’t tell just anyone about it, that’s for sure. They see it as anyone would: a hobby or a class. That’s how it is for most, but not them. It’s nice to get real encouragement and support.”
The theater department is one that could never be alone from the romanticism of the art, and Booth reflects such in his motivations. “This is a really cheesy thing to say, but I like the theater family; [we’re] really connecting with each other. But my favorite part is breaking into groups and reading monologues while getting feedback from Mr. King. He can turn the worst scene into the perfect one.”
If you haven’t congratulated the Theater kids about their placing 3rd in State, make sure to! Theater has worked diligently in pursuit of their goals, and the entirety of the school should show their support.
And... Cut!