On His Way to Broadway

This McCracken County High School Senior Has Big Plans, Has Scored Some Big Accolades, And is Leaving Us All Wanting an Encore

GGAVIN SMITH’S FIRST memory of performing was for a truly captive audience: anyone who entered his home. The fiveyear-old started humbly but with great enthusiasm performing scenes from his favorite show, The Wiggles, in front of anyone who would watch. A year later, it was obvious this was more than a phase, and his mom enrolled him at Main Stage School of Performing Arts. There, he had his first taste of the limelight with a line that was a whopping four words long. The sixyear-old’s first public performance in a production of Seussical had him hooked.

Since then, he’s played a host of classic roles, and his lines, of course, have gotten a bit longer. He’s starred as Sky in Mama Mia, Richie Walters in A Chorus Line, Squire in Treasure Island, Adam in Freaky Friday, and a host of smaller ensemble roles through the years. As a senior this year, he headlined McCracken County High School’s fall musical as Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Arguably, his most challenging role and the role that has won him the biggest accolade to date, however, was for his performance of Edward in Edward Tulane.

Based on the best-selling book by author Kate DiCamillo, Edward Tulane takes viewers on a phenomenal journey—from the depths of the deep blue sea to the streets of Memphis— from the perspective of a toy rabbit who thinks of himself as quite exceptional. When he is separated from his loving family, Edward (the toy rabbit) navigates a world upturned as he learns to mend his broken heart and love again.

As Edward, the challenge for Gavin was not only bringing an inanimate character to life, but also navigating the stage as a character who cannot interact with others. “Playing Edward Tulane was my most challenging role to date because I was more the voice and thoughts of the character than anything, yet I still had to make his character lively and impactful. Because he is a toy, the other characters couldn’t see my responses or observations and only the audience heard his thoughts and understood his journey,” he explains.

Gavin Smith

Through the careful coaching of his drama teacher at MCHS, Mary Bowden, he not only succeeded in bringing this character to life, but he won Best Performer from the Southeastern Theater Conference.

“This was a big conference. Eighteen schools across the Southeast region were represented, and it was the first time MCHS had ever attended. It was our first time going, and some of these performances are the best I’ve ever seen, especially among high school students,” he explains. “I wasn’t even paying attention at the award ceremony because it never crossed my mind that I would win. When they called my name, I was so stunned I just sat there—there’s a video somewhere of my confused and shocked face—and it was probably the slowest 30 seconds of my life. I really couldn’t say anything except ‘Thank you.’”

He credits this success in part, of course, to his MCHS theater teacher, coach, and mentor Mrs. Mary Bowden. According to Gavin, she not only cares deeply about her students, but she’s also dedicated to executing the intricacies of her craft. She noted that the Best Performer award is the biggest award a high school student can receive in the Southeast. “Out of the top school performances in the conference (10 states represented), there were only two Outstanding Performer Awards given. Gavin was one of those,” she states. “We were equal parts completely shocked and also expecting it to go to Gavin because we were that confident in his performance. He is a stellar performer who is leaving this department better than he found it.”

But it’s not just teachers Gavin has learned from. In large part, his success has come from carefully watching those who are best at the craft. “I did a lot of close watching when I was younger and still do,” he notes. “I learned early on that one of the best ways to grow in something is to watch someone who is the best at it do what they do. I tried to soak up everything I saw the older kids doing when I was younger, and it’s a skill I’m still using today.”

Those performers he grew up watching include two locals who have gone on to Broadway themselves. Micheal Hassel, a 2016 graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School, has been part of the Broadway tour of Hairspray and Australia. Miki Abraham, who also grew up in Paducah, was just recently cast in the Broadway musical Shucked.

“Watching their development and seeing the success of those two incredible performers from Paducah solidified that this is a possibility for me,” Gavin states.

Gavin wraps up his time with MCHS and Main Stage this year, but his star will shine on. In August, he heads to Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts in Norwalk, Connecticut to major in musical theater and dance performance. After completing the two-year program, he plans to move to New York and follow his dream of becoming a professional actor. And since the school is located a mere hour from New York City, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to watch the best-of-the-best as he continues honing his craft.

FAVORITE PERFORMER

Miles Frost who just played Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical on Broadway. He got this role at 21 and he was nominated for a Tony soon after. Taking on a role like that at that age is remarkable and being nominated for an award is even more impressive.

Favorite Musical Of All Time

MJ the Musical! I’ve seen it twice in New York.

FAVORITE ROLE YOU’VE PLAYED

Richie Walter in A Chorus Line because it was the first time I was able play someone so much like myself. He has an abundance of energy that never stops, and the show is very dance heavy. It was the first time I pushed myself to work that hard.

FAVORITE KARAOKE SONG

Just Pretend by Elvis