'I can make myself cry. And I did not know that.'
Jocsan Herrera is one of the many drama students putting their talent on display at the fourth annual Aurora Public Schools Theatre Festival. Tears, laughs and plenty of ovations - the full spectrum of emotion experienced as over 30 acting amateurs begin their climb to stardom.
'APS wanted a way to help determine the gifted and talented students in all arts areas,' said Lisa Mumpton, Cultural Arts Supervisor of the City of Aurora. 'In particular, this festival is to identify gifted and talented students in theater.'
A leader since the festival's beginning, Mumpton recruits local professionals to volunteer as judges for the student performances. For those students recognized as gifted, schools can then offer expanded learning in the form of clubs or lessons.
Christy Go, a music and theater teacher at Clyde Miller P-8, applauds the district for its effort to broaden possibilities for students' futures. 'It gives them that confidence to say, 'this is something I'm good at. How else can I use this?,'' she said. 'Even if they're not thinking of using this as their career path, it opens the door to get them thinking about what they might want to do.'
For Esmeralda Flores, however, she has no doubt about her career plans. 'Since I was a little girl, this was my dream,' the sophomore from Aurora Central High School said. 'I wanna be a superstar. I want to be out there performing, making people laugh, cry and everything.'
Ava Allen, a third grade student from Aurora Quest K-8, also plans to pursue an acting career. The stage offers the attention she loves and the chance to reflect. 'I love playing villains,' she said. ' It's really fun, but it's not, as a person, who I want to become.'
Whichever path these students choose, Go says the support will be there. 'One of my passions as an educator is to give students glimpses of things to get involved in, even if they don't want to be famous actors.'