The Bryant Theatre Company is known for talented performers with state Thespian awards each year. With both seniors being involved in the company for four years, their talents and spirits have inspired younger upcoming generations and allowed underclassmen like Nyla Newton to grow their love for the theatre. 

“AJ has helped me gain a lot of confidence in myself, in my talent and my self worth,” Newton said. “There were so many times where I only got out of bed for rehearsals to see him.”

Oone of the challenges that comes with being considered leaders in theatre are the tasks each individual must perform to ensure the success of a production. These tasks have ranged from acting and singing on stage, to staying behind the scenes and directing or composing music. 

“It’s important to remember that you’ll never stop learning the arts. Trying out new roles is something that you have to learn to enjoy and it makes everything [in theater] so much more worth it,” Johnson said. 

Despite difficulties, Purtle and Johnson also experienced moments of success in their shows allowing the students to feel pride for the work they put on stage. 

“The cheers, gasps [and] any form of reaction from the audiences shows that we’re doing something right, which is my favorite part of theatre,” Purtle said. 

Purtle has participated in 14 shows throughout her four years in theater, which led her to finding a safe space for expression.

“Theatre has really allowed me to find a community in high school,“ Purtle said. “I’m actually pursuing a musical theatre degree at Ouachita Baptist University in the fall.”  

Though the seniors are departing the Company to pursue their own personal goals, Johnson hopes to have instilled wisdom into the underclassmen. 

“To the theater underclassmen that I love so much: work hard, but don’t work yourselves to death. Never forget to look at things from a big picture perspective and choose kindness when things are hard,” Johnson said.