BHS grad Sara Wheary to pursue acting in NYC

Sara Wheary, in her role as Philia in the 2009 OAP. One member of the Class of 2010 has a chance to pursue her artistic dream and she is following the opportunity all the way to the Big Apple. Sara Wheary has been accepted to the Academy for Musical and Dramatic Arts (AMDA) in New York City. She applied to the school at the encouragement of her theater teacher, Jill Henson, Based upon her application, Wheary was invited to attend an audition. On the Saturday after graduation she went to Houston for her tryout, accompanied by Mrs. Henson, and last week she received her acceptance letter to AMDA.

Wheary was a member of the BHS' highly successful One Act Play troopes during her junior and senior years of high school, playing the role of Philia, the ditzy virgin in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", and the sultry Fair Witch in "Dark of the Moon". Sara shared, "I enjoyed the high school plays so much and didn't really know what I was going to do for college. I knew I wanted to do theater in college, and came to Mrs. Henson with that idea. She suggested maybe I should apply for some of the bigger acting schools." Wheary did get a theater scholarship offer from McClennan Community College in Waco, but the acceptance from AMDA trumped the Texas school's offer.

The NYC performing arts school focuses on dance, music and theater, and Sara's audition was for theater. Asked if she would be interested in training in the other areas, she laughed, "I can't sing to save my life, but I like to dance!" Students completing the four-year program can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the school boasts graduates on Broadway, in soap operas and upcoming movies. Student housing is right in the Theater District in upper west side Manhattan.

Asked if she was nervous at that prospect, Sara answered honestly, "I am scared, but I'm really excited." Wheary was born in New York and her father still lives in New Jersey, so while she will be far from her Texas home, the 18-year-old will have family nearby when she begins her classes in early October.

Sara feels that her mother, Jana Reynolds, may be a little sad to see her last child leaving, but added, "She is very supportive. She went into the Marines after she graduated and she always has encouraged my brother, sister and I to go out and do things." Wheary also expressed appreciation for her supporters at BHS, admitting, "Without Mrs. Henson and Mrs. (Melonie) Menefee pushing and encouraging, I probably wouldn't have auditioned." Jill Henson proudly responded, "She's really excited, and I'm glad this came through for her."

Break a leg, Kiddo! We'll all be watching.