HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA: Hillsboro High's Brayden Myrick

There are some terrific young actors coming up through the ranks in Tennessee, mentored by some outstanding educators who continually raise the bar for academic theater. You can't help but wonder if more seasoned actors are casting a glance over their shoulders, looking at the youngsters gaining on them. Seriously, the talent pool is that deep in the Volunteer State.

In today's installment of High School Drama, the spotlight falls on a young man who exemplifies the term "renaissance man": Brayden Myrick of Nashville's Hillsboro High School.

Described by his drama teacher Will Butler as "one of Hillsboro's best and brightest theatre students," Brayden also numbers among the school's finest athletes and scholars. An International Baccalaureate candidate and the starting third baseman for the Hillsboro baseball team, Brayden is a 17-year-old senior.

Most recently starring as Winston Smith in Hillsboro's production of George Orwell's 1984, Brayden's resume also includes Gordon in Rent, Count Yousekevitch in Fools and The Mayor in Seussical. And while he is currently working on college admission auditions for North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Texas- Austin and Columbia College Chicago, Brayden is also getting ready for Hillsboro's upcoming spring production of Hairspray.

What's your theatrical goal in life? My theatrical goal would be to establish a well-respected career both on Broadway and in the film industry. I would like to participate in both fields because I wish to hone the skills necessary to be successful in either. The majority of my acting influences have exemplified mastery in both fields and I hope to do the same.

If you could play any role in any show...what would it be? If I could play any character in any show it would be Jessie Pinkman from the television series Breaking Bad. I believe that Jesse is a prime example of a character who people perceive as simplistic, yet is extremely complex. I would have the opportunity to live a character who progressively drowns in his own mistakes, while he attempts to overcome all aspects of his life that seem to work against him. I would be able to stand as a source of humor, hope, anger, anxiety, and uncertainty for a viewer. It would be a challenge for me, but I would love to have the distinct honor of being cast in this role.

What's been your best theatrical experience to date? My best theatrical experience to date would have to be the role of Winston Smith in the stage adaptation of George Orwell's 1984. I have never been a part of a show that challenged and allowed me to grow more throughout the experience. My directors, Will Butler and Kristin Moon, took me on an emotional journey that allowed me to learn more about myself and sustain a sense of vulnerability that I will foster, as well as utilize, throughout the rest of my life. I will always remember this show as a life changing experience for me because I was able to create a professional level production with a group of talented people who helped push me towards becoming a better actor.

Who are your favorite actors? My favorite actors are Ian McKellen, Daniel Day Louis, Matthew McConaughey, Bryan Cranston, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd and Leonardo DiCaprio.

What show that you've never seen would you most like to see? I would love to see Spring Awakening.

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