Whitney Brooks
When Whitney Brooks was a child, she was always singing and dancing. In 2015, she saw a poster for auditions for “Scrooge, The Musical” and knew she wanted to audition.
“I was cast in the show and loved every moment. That show sparked an interest in me for performing.Since then, I have been in numerous musicals and plays. My most recent role was Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ which we performed at the Paramount,” she says.
Most of her performances have been with Theatre Bristol. She has also been in several shows at Virginia Middle School and Virginia High School. Her favorite role so far is Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” She also enjoyed Chip in “Beauty and the Beast” and Amaryllis in “The Music Man.” She says she’s worked with several fantastic directors; two of her favorites are Glenn Patterson and Ken Naegele.
“They each have different approaches to directing but both are very effective, and I feel that I have learned a lot from them so far.I can›t wait to get back on stage and continue learning.
“I enjoy every aspect of performing, but I love singing. It is a great way for me to express myself.I have been singing my entire life.I have had a couple of fantastic voice coaches, and voice lessons have been a great way for me to continue working on my craft through the pandemic, with most theaters closed. I love the classic musicals, like ‘The MusicMan,’ ‘Chicago’ and ‘Little Women.’ But I also really enjoy shows that have a message behind them, like ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ ‘Wicked’ and ‘Hamilton.’
“I also love acting and having the opportunity to analyze characters and figure out their emotions and how they would respond to their surroundings. I enjoy working behind the scenes as well, learning how everything works to put on performances. I love the different roles and learning to see the world from different perspectives. Acting has taught me to be more observant and to push my boundaries. It isn’talways comfortable, but it is rewarding.
“Theater is many different things to different people but to me it is where I feel at home. Theater gives me the freedom to explore and learn about and express myself. I feel it opens up a whole world of possibilities and opportunities. The people that I have met and had a chance to work with, the friends I have made, are amazing and encouraging and supportive,” Whitney says.
She plans to major in musical theater and music (voice) in college. She is working on projects with Virginia High’s drama department and performing in competitions. Whitney is looking forward to theaters reopening, so she can get back on stage. She is also co-captain of the varsity cheerleaders and takes tumbling classes. Whitney is a member of the Beta Club and Student Council.
Whitney is the daughter of Cindi and Dennis Brooks of Bristol, Virginia. She is a 17-year-old junior at Virginia High School, Bristol, Virginia.
