Acting and the art of theater – whether as a hobby or a profession – serves as a productive outlet for creativity and a way to make meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. The same could not be truer for junior and star of the upcoming “Barnum” musical Amara Amadi.
“Amara is really lovely,” said Brandi Perkins, theater teacher and director of “Barnum.” “She’s super talented, she takes notes, she takes directions, she’s grown so much over the course of this production. She really commands the stage when she enters, all the attention shifts her way as it should. I’m so very glad she’s a junior and we have a whole ‘nother year to work with her.”
Amadi has been a performer her whole life, with the arts being involved in some of her most formative memories.
“One of my earliest memories was being cast as Ms. Hannigan in ‘Annie’ in third grade and going to Goodwill with my mom to pick out costumes, and just having so much fun,” Amadi said. “I truly love being on stage.”
Amadi joined Kingwood Park’s Black Cat Theatre in her freshman year, performing as the “Sour Kangaroo” in “Seussical.” Since then, Amadi has found community and opportunity within the department no matter what “drama” may be involved.
“It’s just so cool seeing everyone come together, and we’re all just so close even if we have tension between us,” she said. “We can put that aside for one show. And it really helped me grow professionally and build empathy and compassion and prepared me for the real world.”
Since she started singing and acting at such a young age, the two skills seem to have become interchangeable for her. But if she was forced to continue with one over the other, Amadi said she prefers music.
“They go hand in hand,” Amadi said. “I mean, they’re both equally challenging. But I would probably say I prefer singing just because of the music aspect, like I love learning about music theory and, you know, really dissecting the music; but I feel like truly I love them equally.”
That is why Amadi is unsure about in which direction her future will unfold, going forward with a white collar career or chasing the performer’s life.
“I’m leaning toward Trinity University in San Antonio,” Amadi said. ” I really enjoy the liberal arts education and it’s a prestigious school,” Amadi said. “I really think I could grow there and maybe become a lawyer going into family law or continuing my passion of becoming, you know, something on stage.”
Getting on stage and acting in front of hundreds of people can be a tough task for anyone, even those with immense talent and experience. Amadi said the most challenging moment of being on stage is just finding the confidence when the curtain rises.
“I think a lot of performers, even the great ones, really struggle with what their mind tells them and having the conviction to be there and be who you are and do what you can,” Amadi said. “Because you can rehearse as many times as you want in your room. But it’s really about just going on stage and shining.”
For the past 10 weeks, Amadi has focused her energy on bringing Chairy Barnum to life in the theater department’s musical “Barnum.” Chairy is the wife of the titular PT Barnum and deuteragonist.
“I just like how strong she is, like she is not afraid to speak her mind,” Amadi said. “She’s not one of those ingenues (French theatre lingo for damsel) that are like, ‘Oh, I’m waiting for my man to come get me.’ No, she does it herself and that’s what I really love about her.”
Amadi’s favorite moment of the show is the song “I Like Your Style,” a duet performed with fellow junior Viktor Cruz, who stars as P.T. Barnum.
“She’s a good actress,” Cruz said. “She has a great singing voice, which helps for the musical. She’s friends with everyone and is a very calming presence.”
With the much-awaited opening night on Jan. 23, Amadi recommends her fellow students come out and enjoy the production. The group will also have performances on Jan. 24-26.
“Honestly, I used to be a Barnum hater, and now I think it’s just a wonderful story,” Amadi said. “Even though P.T. Barnum wasn’t the best person, it’s a story about showmanship and making the best of what you can. I think the story of Barnum resonates with a lot of people. It’s kind of fake it ‘til you make it, and I think that’s what you really need to do in life.”
