<![CDATA[Common Sense]]> <![CDATA[Common Sense]]> en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:18:15 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Spotlight on...Aaron Gage]]> By Amalie Joseph & Melissa Frohman

photo by Azzah Ahmed
Gage spends his lunch periods preparing for his role.

During lunch every day, a student gifted with a spectacular voice and a passion for the arts can be found serenading his fellow classmates in the chambers classroom. This student is musical aficionado Aaron Gage. Gage will star as the Beast in the Spring musical “Beauty and the Beast.” “This is my second lead role, and it is one of my dream roles because I relate very closely to the character,” Gage said. Gage has also participated in previous Wootton productions, such as his role as “Doody” in this year’s fall musical Grease. “I was a co-star in Grease but this is my first main character role which is really exciting because it’s one of my dream goals,” Gage said. Not only does Gage act, but he can also sing. Gage has been a part of the ensemble for many shows, including “On the Town,” “My Favorite Year” and “Children of Eden.” “I have known Aaron for four years,” senior Mattia D’Affuso said. “Since freshman year Aaron has grown so much as a performer.” His perpetual passion for singing and acting has helped him attain this amazing role as the lead in a major production. Gage’s love for theater is fueled by his skill and natural knack for singing. However, professional composing, one of Gage’s hobbies, began only two years ago. “I had an epiphany that made me start while watching Edward Scissorhands and listening to the music in that,” Gage said. “Now that’s all I do when I watch movies; I listen to the scores and try to absorb them.” “He’s an outstanding singer and his amazing musicality really helps when performing,” D’Affuso said. Along with acting and singing, he is proficient at playing piano, guitar, drums, and bass. His repertoire of musical expertise ranges, but his main focus is on rock music. “With a role like the Beast, which he really wanted to play, he is very dedicated, and it shows during practice,” D’Affuso said. The committment necessary to be a part of a Wootton musical is enormous. The performers start practice every day after school until 5:30 pm, and must also partake in dress rehearsals. Additionaly, time is spent outside of school independently learning music and memorizing lines. “He acts his part as if he really was the beast, and that shows on stage,” senior Bryan Pike said. Gage began acting after he watched his older brother, Brandon Gage, participate in productions at Wootton. His admiration of his older brother and his fascination with the theater drove him to begin his acting career. Gage’s love of music has led him to seek musical fulfillment outside the drama department. He teaches the value of music to young students at Bach2Rock in Washingtonian Center. He trains and encourages eager students in guitar, bass, drums, vocals and piano. Although he seems to spend most of him time performing and practicing every day, he dedicates a large portion of his time to composing music. Several of his musical compositions have been performed by Wootton’s Chamber Orchestra in their concerts. These pieces include Insomnia, Midnight Storms, Bliss and Pirates. “He is a very well rounded musician and my expectation is that he will live up to a standard that all the leads beofre him have set,” choral director and “Beast” director Ms. Carla Ingram said. “He is a very musically focused individual and is destined to go on in a career in music and do well.” Gage was recently accepted to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, the second best school for performing arts in the country. Although Gage looks to continue to fuirther educate himself in the field of music, he has already gained a position as a professional musician. Gage currently writes music for national commericals and is currently doing the music for a documentary on the history of ranching in Florida. For now, though, Gage’s concentration lies in the successful production of Beauty and the Beast. Check out Gage on the stage as the Beast on March 20-22, and 27-29. ]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:44:59 GMT