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Brenden Dodds

445

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1x

Finalist

Bio

My family has a running joke; there is No Plan B. It started early in Middle School when people would ask, “What do you want to do when you grow up? I would always reply, I want to be an actor.” During those years, the response would be a slight laugh, a smile with an eye roll, and people trying their best to say, “That’s great, how interesting!” It would quickly be followed up with, “What else do you do?” In the last year or so those responses have turned into, “An actor, oh fun, what’s your Plan B?” What is your back up Major? Minor? What else are you going to do?! It's difficult to explain to people who don’t know me that acting has always been something I just did from a very young age for fun. Howver, since I turned twelve, I’ve tried to do everything possible to prepare myself to be a successful actor. I have studied at various theatres, acting schools, and taken as many courses with as many different teachers as I could. I’ve done my research; I understand the odds and know the challenges that I will face in my chosen profession. I’m 100% confident investing in myself and my education for the next four years is my right path. I don’t want to rush out to Los Angeles or New York City and hope my dreams come true. I want to experience four years of college and all that comes with it. I want to be as educated and prepared as possible. Then the time comes to head to one of those big cities, I’ll be the person and the Actor I need to be to go there with No Plan B.

Education

Geneva Community High School

High School
2020 - 2024

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Performing Arts

    • Dream career goals:

      To have a long and consistent acting career on stage or screen

    • Facilities, admissions, concessions

      Geneva Park District
      2021 – Present3 years

    Arts

    • Geneva High school

      Acting
      2024 – 2024
    Creative Arts Scholarship
    My parents have been the greatest artistic influence in my life, in surprising way. I'm sure many aspiring actors have a family member or friend who has an experience in the performing arts or a passion that shined through that influenced them to purse their dreams of the arts. That isn't the case with me and the great influence my parents had on me. Outside of loving movies, neither them had experience or a passion for the performing arts. My Dad played college football and is in business, my Mom is a scientist. My experiences up to middle school were all sports; hockey, baseball and flag football, not the creative push to be a performer. However, why they were amazing and so influential, is they did, perhaps without a specific purpose, encompass our lives in the arts. From when I was a baby there was always music playing in our house. All kinds from classical, The Beatles, to modern day hits. When I began at a young age to show an affinity to certain children's shows, and when I say affinity I mean memorizing and acting out entire shows, they did nothing but encourage me. I still played sports, but there was never a push, there was always a willingness to to listen and partake in my fun acting and play. It was my parents who saw there was a community theatre auditioning for a production of Madagascar Jr. The Musical. It was one of my favorite movies and the time and they thought it might be fun. I was lucky enough to get the lead role of Alex the Lion, and I was hooked from there! I'm very proud to have been in over 25 productions since then. I'm the only member of my graduating class to have been cast in every production my High School auditioned for. My parents have been there every step of the way, many times leading the charge. They have never missed a single performance, have worked with my to find unique acting and audition based programs to push myself and have been instrumental in helping me through the gauntlet of auditioning for and selecting college theatre and acting programs. I am also proud to say I auctioned for 12 different college theatre/acting programs, and I was offered a spot in 11. The influence, dedication, support and love of my parents were so instrumental in getting me to this point. Seeing a successful actor I admire finally make it big, or meeting a professional who shared wisdom and strategies has been a part of my experience, and I could look to those experiences as influential. However, when I look at the question, who is someone artistic has been the most influential, I can say proudly, my artistic(In their own way) parents with pride. My favorite artistic experience so far has been my High School taking on the Broadway musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This musical took place last year, my junior year, and was met with hesitation by many. I was familiar with the story and really enjoyed Disney's animated version, especially the soundtrack. However, our directors announcement of the musical was met with pushback by many. It was a huge undertaking as we had a full cast, and a full choral accompaniment. It was the most work, and most intense process from an acting, singing and dancing perspective. By the end of our performances we were exhausted, but the sense of joy, fulfillment, and most importantly the emotional reaction we received from so many, made it my favorite experience to date!