Sampson Community College student Taylor Gilbert has always had a passion for the stage. The young student is in fact hoping he will one day have a career in acting.
Gilbert, along with seven other drama students, will take part in the college’s first production, “You’re Driving Me Crazy,” about the experience of being a driver’s education instructor and student taking the class. Gilbert will be playing the part of two of the students.
“Acting is what I am hoping to go into,” Gilbert said. “I have learned a lot while being a part of this class. Everyone is more than classmates, we are just like a close family.”
The production will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Student Activities Center on the campus. This is free and open to the public. Gilbert, and his co-actors, are hoping the audience will be filled.
According to Linda Jewell-Carr, instructor for the class, this is the first acting class that has been taught at Sampson, which is being offered as a hybrid course, allowing students to participate in a theater lab and exercises once a week. There are also online assignments.
Once completing the class, students earn college credit for Drama 130. During the course, students, Jewell-Carr said, learn theatrical terminology, acting methods and exercises. Students meet once a week for a three-hour course.
“This class has been a dream come true to teach,” Jewell-Carr said. “The students have been very committed and excited about class. Their favorite activity has been to act out improvisations weekly. They have been a joy to teach and have really challenged each other to continue to improve their voice and acting abilities throughout the semester.”
Currently, Sampson Community College has an active drama club on campus. One of the students in the production is the president of the club. Along with drama club members, Jewell-Carr said there has been interest in the acting class, as well as other classes.
Tuesday night’s production will count as half of the exam grade for Gilbert and his classmates.
Other actors include Taylor Blanchard, Nicholas Williamson, Alex Gomez, Rosa Guzman, Lily Kang, Hailey Lewis and Austin Wooten.
“The performance is bitter sweet, because I have thoroughly enjoyed working with these young men and women,” Jewell-Carr shared.
The SCC Foundation is sponsoring the production has purchased the rights and royalities through a grant.