Fresh off the production “The Foreigner”, directed by Tammi Doyle, James Webster, an acting student in Bellevue College’s Drama Department, is already moving on towards his next project – “Spring Awakening”, one of the nation’s most popular plays.
Not many college students know what they want to do, who they want to be or even what kind of future they want to have in their first couple years of school.
Many students – many people – spend their whole lives exploring for answers to who they are and signs of what they should go into.
James Webster knew what he wanted to do at a very young age. After a trip to the Shoreline Community Theater to watch a musical called “On the Town” as a child, his future was set.
“I walked out of the show and I remembered the entire first song” he said.
“It’s kind of a family thing. My dad is very musical. Ever since I can remember my family has been very musical.” Three musicals of his own through high school and one degree later Webster became part of the BC Drama Department family.
He has played roles such as Teddy from “Arsenic and Old Lace,”Mr.Mushnik from “The Little Shop of Horrors” and his favorite so far has been Ellard Simms from the last play brought together through the Drama Department. But acting is a tough business.
“As an actor you have to fight for what you get. You question things a lot, it’s dark. The future seems unsure, you are unsure. Sometimes the real pincher is no matter how good you are you’re just not what they are looking for.”
“Another problem is finding things. Everything else you can learn on top of acting – everything helps.”
Many actors stop fighting for their dreams because of the harsh competition in showbusiness – today, between addictive social medias and the economy, some actors wait for an opportunity to come to them instead of searching for it.
“Take two seconds and go get a gig. You have to go and have to WANT to do [acting]. Keep yourself sharp. Never give up on the chance to learn something.”
James Webster knows exactly what he wants, and has the strive to go the distance. Check out “Spring Awakening” May through June to support this young actor.