Destined for the Stage

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My dad built a stage in my backyard when I was around seven years old. Seen regularly on those few pieces of plywood was a chubby-cheeked, wide-eyed second grader. It was no Radio City Music Hall or Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, but it was somewhere he could pour his growing heart into. My sister, Samantha ’12, had done every Xavier musical offered. A 7-year-old me attended every single show. From 2011’s Fall Musical The Music Man (1) on, I had the privilege of growing up and participating in every single Xavier High School Theater and Xavier Theater Academy production. In addition, I participated annually in Christmas Stars. My parents found it quite daunting that I wanted to do four productions a year, but supported me regardless of the scheduling challenges. I wrapped myself in these opportunities not because I felt like I had to do so, but because it was natural for me to crave the pure joy I had pursuing them within such a community as Xavier Theater. In addition, I also grew up surrounded by many older influences involved with Xavier Theater who set a standard of performing arts by which I was blown away. This influence is a key factor in my motivation for this postCOVID year alone and why it has been so worth it to finally be back on stage performing.

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Being granted the opportunity to play roles like Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (2) on the Xavier stage gave me the chance to give back to that younger me. To show the different-feeling kids that I am one like them. To show them that even though in the halls at school they may seem to be the only one humming “Popular” from Wicked, there is a 6’1” high schooler at Xavier with that same exact passion performing as the lead in his senior year musical. This is why I started a kids' theater summer camp, why it means so much to me to represent Wisconsin in the 2022 Jimmy Awards in New York City, (3) and why I’ve decided this year that I want to explore this beautiful art medium as a career. Xavier Theater taught me so much but has validated me even more. It has validated the path on which I am headed. I have felt nothing but feelings of love and support throughout my time at Xavier. This is from this theater community that young me chose to surround myself with. Whether I am performing on my backyard stage, the Fox Cities P.A.C. stage, or Broadway’s Minskoff Theater, I know that this gift of my Xavier Theater family the last 11 years is something I will cherish forever.

Byline: Josh Thone ‘22