Arts Student of the Week Grace DeRose

Grace DeRose, a senior at Niwot High School, has been reminiscing about her full theater experience during her time at school.

She has been in eight productions at Niwot High, including "Peter and the Starcatcher," "Mamma Mia," "Noises Off" where she appeared as Tim Allgood, "Beauty and the Beast," "Puffs," "Shrek" where she played Gingy, "Murder on the Orient Express" where she played Countess Andrenyi, and, most recently, "Footloose" where she performed as Cowboy Bobby and served as the understudy for Wendy Jo.

DeRose said, "We didn't have a theater program in middle school, but we did have one class. When I reached high school, I thought to myself, 'I will try it and see if I like it,' and I ended up falling in love with the program, the people, and the actual art of performing itself."

Family is at the center of DeRose's life. She said, "My parents have always been big supporters of music, my mom doing choir when she was my age, and my dad always playing music around the house. One of my favorite memories is him singing the song 'Yellow' by Coldplay to me and my sister before bed."

She continued, "A lot of my passions involve spending time with my family, whether it's going on adventures outdoors or playing games indoors. I also love reading and being able to sit down at night with my computer and a cup of tea and do some writing on the side."

DeRose will be attending the University of Utah next fall to study computer science, with the plan of adding an Entertainment Arts and Engineering emphasis with the goal of a career in game design. She said, "I did robotics in middle school, which first sparked my interest, so I started taking classes in high school and found I continued to really enjoy it. I love to incorporate the artistic side of what I love with the career I want to go into."

DeRose's passion for gaming was largely sparked by playing "Sonic" with her sister Olivia when they were younger. She said, "My favorite memories as a kid were playing games with my sister and bonding with her as well as how it's helped other friends and family bond as well. I've seen the way it connects people and that's what has really drawn me to want to pursue game design as a career in the future."

The arts can often be an emotionally challenging industry, but DeRose has advice for those wanting to be involved. "Comparison and judgment is what ruins the love of the arts for so many people. The most fun and fulfilling experiences you have are the ones where you embrace the experience, and use them to grow your own skills and your own passion for them."

She explained, "The arts are meant for finding beauty and life in creation, so find that joy, and don't let comparisons steal it from you. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will carry my passion for theater and music for the rest of my life."