Rylan Holmes-Shields, a sophomore at NWA, has acted and sung in many shows and musicals, including many school productions.
“I am currently in the vocals choir at NWA and I used to sing outside of NWA at Ethos Student Choir,” said Holmes-Shields. “I also sang in Heathers: the Musical.”
Holmes-Shields uses acting and singing as a way to put their introverted nature aside and transform into someone else.
“I love performing because it gives me an outlet,” said Holmes-Shields. “I am normally a very introverted person, but [performing] gives me the chance to put on a new persona to be more extroverted.”
Holmes-Shields also finds joy in having a supportive audience and watching their family and friends attend their shows.
“It is fun just to get people to come to my shows and see them in the audience,” they said. “Having them there supporting me always feels really great.”
Holmes-Shields began both acting and singing at a very young age and feels this has helped them love the arts.
“I have been acting since I was four, at Northwest Children’s Theater,” said Holmes-Shields. “I loved it ever since. And my mom said that I could sing before I could talk, but I am not sure if I believe that. I have always loved singing.”
Through all the years of Holmes-Shields acting and singing, they cite Heathers: the Musical as overall, their best work thus far.
Holmes-Shields thinks that they will probably pursue acting and singing in college and the rest of their adult life, as they hope to major in theater.
“I know that theater will probably be my major,” said Holmes-Shields. “I have also tried working outside of theater with a variety of student films and I have really enjoyed it. I have also been an extra in a lot of films and I am really looking forward to more of that.”
