Slow, steady breaths harmonize with a racing heart and mind. He pauses and recalls the hours he spent tirelessly perfecting his steps, his form, his notes. As the lights dim and the curtain rises, a spotlight emerges– Timothy Woodward ’24 takes the stage.  

It is no secret that The Ellis Theatre Guild member has a command of the set; previous Hill productions such as Into the Woods and Love, Dot have established Woodward as a leader and a star, whose performances are highly anticipated. During the summer months, Woodward sought to take full advantage of his time off from academics by participating in two prestigious, performance-intensive programs.  

The first program, Summer Performing Arts with Julliard, was a two-week “education-based” program, consisting of a six-period schedule, faculty lectures, and a rehearsal to end each day. The participants were split into groups and tasked with a performance on the last day of the program.  

Classes were specific to each group in the Julliard program. It consists of classes like vocal health, specific theater technique like alexander technique and dance classes. “We had a seminar each day where the faculty would present a career in the performing arts, how to maintain a positive attitude, and they also talked about college auditions,” Woodward said.  

Woodward also took part in another theater program at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center from July 25 to August 14. This program heavily base on stage practices.  “Juilliard was a lot more education and technique based, that’s where I took plenty of notes. I have notebooks and notebooks of all of the things that I learned. Stagedoor was where I put them into action,” Woodward said.  

Participating in three shows at once with significant roles, Woodword thought it certainly helped him with time management, and maintaining his vocal health which has been challenging. During his performances at Stagedoor, Woodward captured the roles of Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Ensemble (Cabaret), and Mark (I Told You, Man). Woodward received a six-thousand-dollar scholarship to attend the program, covering his full tuition.  

Going into his junior year, Woodward anticipates performing in all three productions, and is excited to move forward with his newfound experience. “All of the new things I’ve learned, I feel like I really catapulted into another level of performing that is new to me, and I hope to reflect that in Hill Theatre,” Woodward said.