The cranking lever is dropped, the curtain falls and the applauding dies down. The actors go backstage and change into their regular selves. It’s time for Caleb Jenkins to continue on in reality after a two hour break.
Being a freshman, Caleb Jenkins has had great successes already in his theatrical high school career. His days consist of waking up, going to school, memorizing lines and then heading to rehearsal. He’s a high school actor who was introduced to theatre in the sixth grade.
“I remember just standing there and being fed lines, and I really like the idea of escaping from what’s real and creating someone or something else.” Jenkins said.
He is the only freshmen in the school’s history to be included in a lead part in the student repertory theatre. He was also the only freshman to qualify in state for the fall play, “The Laramie Project”, for a duet scene.
“I was really surprised of how much talent he actually has. I really was blown away at state for the ‘Laramie Project’; he just knew what to do,” freshmen Amanda Miller said.
“Caleb, well, he’s really talented. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that Caleb really blew everyone away with his performances, especially this early in high school.” Sophomore Lauren Henke said.
Caleb’s Hobbies consist of acting, music and rugby. He just picked up rugby this year. He likes the balance that his activities give him.
“I like that I can spread myself to do other things but I think that acting and rugby give me different things, but, I think I find myself more at home when I’m mentally fulfilled, which I get from music and theatre,” Jenkins said.
Although Jenkins is a gifted actor, he’s continuing to struggle to find his place in this environment; high school. He said that It’s hard to be accepted at school because of what he likes to do.
“Many people don’t appreciate theatre, so when they find out that I’m involved in school plays and productions, they think smaller of me, perhaps I’m not as masculine as they thought me out to be,” Jenkins said.
Aside from school, Jenkins is also a musician. He writes songs and plays them on his guitar which he learned to play three years ago. He currently has a talent agency asking for his partnership, but he has put them on a hold until he finishes high school.
“Yeah the agency is pretty cool, but for right now, I’m happy where I am in life and I continue to be this way for the rest of my days.”