Five Young Performers in This Country You Should Know! (2021)
I look back at the last year and a half, and I am just thankful everyday that the Theatre industry survived this Global Pandemic. I also think about what it must be like to be a kid growing up in these times. Then, I wonder what a theatre kid must feel like or be going through. These five young performers not only inspire me with their talent on the stage but also with their resilience off the stage during these times. From National and International Tours to the Metropolitan Opera to Television to Broadway, these five young artists are truly people you need to remember because their names could easily be the ones to become household names one day in the performing arts world.
Having had the chance to work personally with these five young artists on different levels, I can truly attest that I am so inspired by each and everyone of them! These are five young performers in this country you should know about. 2021 Edition!
Caleb Alexander Thompson - This talented young man was recently a part of the Grammy Award Winning and Academy Award Nominated Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in my Bones at The Metropolitan Opera where he served as Char'es Baby Cover. He will soon be performing in the upcoming Industry Presentation of Birdie and Tim in New York City.
Caleb also appeared in the first episode of Women of the Movement! on ABC where he played Emmett Till's friend. This young man has endless talent and an amazing support system that has given him all the proper tools he needs to succeed. Nothing excites me more than to see where a talent like this will be in the future! Caleb is truly a young artist with endless possibilities!
Bridget Carly Marsh - This talented young actress is far beyond her age. Having performed in the National and International tours of Annie and most recently in the Regional Premiere of The Unpredictable Times at Rise Above Performing Arts, Bridget is an artist that will truly shine with whatever craft she chooses to go into. This year, Bridget will be graduating from The Booker High School VPA Theatre Program led by the wonderful and gifted Sunny Smith. Next year, she will be attending The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
Jonah McKinley - Jonah is currently attending Montclair State University where he is studying Musical Theatre in their BFA Program (Class of 2023). He can be seen in their upcoming production of Jonathan Larson's RENT. Jonah also recently starred as Brandon in The Regional Premiere of The Unpredictable Times at Rise Above Performing Arts in Sarasota, Florida and will be performing in the upcoming Industry Presentation of Birdie and Tim in New York City! The sky is truly the limit for this talented young man. Jonah McKinley is a name you will surely hear about in the upcoming years; I truly feel he is one callback away from a life changing opportunity!
Briana Wilder -This talented young actress is a true staple at Rise Above Performing Arts in Sarasota, Florida (Artistic Director - Jacob Ruscoe) where she has performed in West Side Story (Anita), The Little Mermaid (Alanna), Spelling Bee (Mitch), and Godspell (Turn Back O Man Soloist) as well as in the Ensembles of Carrie, Bring It On, The Addams Family, Joseph…Dreamcoat, 13, Narnia, Grease, Into The Woods, The Love Note (regional premiere), and Children's Letters to God. Briana also recently starred as Bea in Una Noche En Tejas - When Beyonce met Selena! for The Equity Library Theatre Virtual Festival. She will be reprising the role in her New York City Debut Off-Broadway at The New York Theater Festival this December.
Briana has this ability to draw your eyes to her when she is on the stage no matter if she is the lead role or a member of the ensemble. Briana is gonna go as far as she chooses to go; everyone who has seen her on stage all collectively agree that the sky is the limit for this talented young lady!
Walter Russell III - WR3 is a Singer, Dancer, and Actor. When I tell you that this kid is a true triple threat, I truly mean it. He recently starred as Char'es Baby in the Grammy Award Winning and Academy Award Nominated Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in my Bones at The Metropolitan Opera. He also performed across the US and Canada playing Young Simba in the National Tour Lion King before making his Broadway debut reprising the role in 2020.
Walter will soon be seen as Little Michael in MJ The Musical on Broadway. On Television, he has been seen in “Let The Right One In” (Showtime), ABC’s “Disney Family Singalong II,” and Nickelodeon’s “Lip Sync Battle Shorties”. It truly doesn't make sense how talented this young man is, and what is most exciting is that he is only just at the beginning of what is going to be an amazing career!
For more information about the companies mentioned please visit -
The Metropolitan Opera: www.metopera.org, MJ The Musical: https://mjthemusical.com, The Lion King: https://lionking.com, The Savannah College of Art and Design: https://www.scad.edu, Montclair State University Department of Theatre & Dance: https://www.montclair.edu/theatre-and-dance/admission/ , Rise Above Performing Arts: www.riseabovearts.com, Booker High School VPA: https://www.bookervpa.com, Birdie and Tim: www.facebook.com/Birdieandtimplay, The Unpredictable Times - www.theunpredictabletimesplay.com, Una Noche En Tejas: When Beyonce Met Selena - https://www.unanoche.info