Senior Jayden Randall was a standout in this year's production of Shrek, where she played the role of Donkey. With a deep love for music and performing, her journey in theater has been shaped by years of dedication and hard work.

Randall first discovered her passion for music and performing arts at a young age. “I've always loved singing around the house, and joining choir in sixth grade also motivated me to explore performing in other ways,” said Randall. Her interest in theater grew as she got older and started to participate in school productions.

In total, Randall has been involved in thirteen productions. “My favorite so far has been The Lightning Thief this past summer,” said Randall. She felt that it was a special experience, but she was equally excited about Shrek and the chance to take on the energetic and comedic role of Donkey.

One of the most important lessons Randall learned from her time in theater was the value of teamwork. “I think the most important takeaway from theater is being able to collaborate with people. Teamwork is so important in so many aspects of life, and being able to work with such talented people is so fulfilling,” said Randall.

Randall plans to pursue a career in music. She will attend Michigan State University to double major in vocal music performance and cognitive science, with plans to earn a master’s degree in music therapy.

As for her last high school production, Randall was eager to take on the challenge. “I'm looking forward to the challenge of my hardest role yet! Finding this character, memorizing where to be, and being constantly energetic has been difficult, but in the end it’s incredibly rewarding,” said Randall.