Serenity Barron
Staff Writer
Jerome Riley has performed in 11 school and community theater productions and five one-act festivals, is in Thespians, Drama Club, SAA, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, GSA and Amen, and been on honor roll all four years of high school.
School plays in which Riley has performed are Urine Town, You Can’t Take it With You, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Wizard of Oz, Driving Ms. Daisy and A New Brain.
Riley’s outside productions include Joseph with the Hawthorne Players, Big River with the Alpha Players, Les Miserables with Nerinx, the Thespian Conference, the All State Show and Jekyll & Hyde.
“I really liked being in Driving Ms. Daisy; Mr. (Todd) Schafer really pushed me for that part,” said Riley.
“I think Jerome has a good chance of really making it,” said senior Miranda West, who played Ms. Daisy.
Riley was also in the Martin Luther King Assembly, a Webster Idol concert, One-Acts, the SAA Spring Talent Show and the WGHS Broadway Revue.
This year Riley acted in the New Brain as Sean O’ Brien’s partner, with a small close-knit cast.
“New Brain was the best play ever! Optimistic and awesome, great way to end senior year,” said Riley.
“Jerome is a naturally gifted performer but an extremely hard worker…he is constantly trying to improve his process, grow in understanding of the craft and create the best product to share with his audience,” said Schaefer.
“College will really help him get that final step to rock the professional world,” said West.
Riley is going to Redford College for musical theater.
His goal for the future is “hopefully finding work in theater doing what I love,” said Riley.
