At Great Heights: Senior Patrick O’Dea Excels In Both Band And Drama

Photo Credit: CHEYENNE PINO

BY MARTINA SMITH

It was 2:30 in the afternoon. The bell rang, signifying the end of another school day. Students rushed out of their classrooms and flooded the halls, eager to go home. Senior Patrick O’Dea, however, took it a bit slower, casually walking to the Cooper City High School auditorium. There was no rush, as O’Dea would be at the school until 10:00 that night. Not only was his first performance as Usnavi, the lead of the play In The Heights, next week, but there was also a serious band competition that upcoming weekend where he would shine as drum line captain. With such a busy schedule, most students would crack under the pressure, but not O’Dea. He managed to keep a good balance despite all the work he had to do.

“No other program puts as much time into practice as band,” O’Dea said. “And a drama show takes up almost all of your time.”

O’Dea got started in high school band during his freshman year. He was inspired to become a part of the band after going to a high school football game and seeing his sister perform in the band halftime show. What he really loved, however, was the drum line. He didn’t plan on being in band at all until he saw them perform.

“I saw the drummers play and have so much fun,” O’Dea said “I thought there was nothing cooler.”

After 4 years of hard work on the field and in the band room, O’Dea is now drum line captain. This responsibility comes with a heavy commitment, with band practices every Tuesday and Thursday after school and all summer every summer. In addition, they also participate in several weekend competitions. All band students also take one of band director Christopher Schletter’s classes, and practice during that time as well. All that hard work pays off, however.

“The most rewarding part is marching across the football field, in front of hundreds of people,” O’Dea said.

At the beginning of his senior year, O’Dea became interested in drama. A close friend of his recommended auditioning for the fall musical and he decided to do it, thinking it would be a lot of fun. When auditioning for the show, O’Dea was hoping just for a background character. Imagine his surprise then, when the posted cast list read “Patrick O’Dea as Usnavi”, the lead character.

“I was shocked but also pumped and excited when I found out I got the lead,” O’Dea said.

The director of the drama department, Angela Thomas, believed he had more potential than being a background/ensemble character. She felt his abilities really stood out and that he was energetic and easy to work with. His natural ability to rap was also a plus, as it was a requirement of the lead role.

“Any time we’d give him any sort of direction in the audition process, we loved the way he took it,” Thomas said. “And he was really good at handling the rap parts. He just fit as Usnavi.”

During a drama show, the lives of cast and crew get crazy. The time from audition to opening performance is usually about 4 weeks, and during this time a cast or crew member’s life becomes consumed with the show.

“Drama shows are heavy on performers,” fellow drama member Sarah Park said. “It’s crazy but rewarding.”

The schedule during show time is strenuous. Rehearsals last till late at night and cast members spend all of their free time memorizing lines and blocking scenes. Despite the pressure however, O’Dea handled it in stride. Not only did he perfectly follow his stage directions, but his peers regarded him as fun to work with and easy to be around. O’Dea now considers many of his cast mates to be friends.

“I loved working with Patrick,” fellow drama member Hannah Katz said. “Despite having more on his plate than anyone else, he was always happy and willing to work.”

All this drama wasn’t easy on his role as drum line captain. Striking balance between his role as Usnavi and drum line took a lot of work and compromises had to be made.  O’Dea had to leave halfway through drama rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays to go to band rehearsals. Because he has a leadership position in band, he had to be careful of how many practices he missed. Too many missed practices and he would lose his position as drum captain.

“Mr. Schletter and I worked out a compromise and I only had to miss a single competition,” O’Dea said

During this whirlwind of activity, O’Dea rarely had time for friends or school. When he was with friends, they were listening to him perform or helping him rehearse lines. Homework was, as he puts it, “nonexistent”.

Despite the extra stress, O’Dea really enjoyed In The Heights and would do another drama show without a second thought. Though he doesn’t know what exactly he wants to do in the future, band and drama will both continue to be a big part of his life. His college major is unknown, but he knows he wants to minor in acting in the future. One thing is certain, however. O’Dea will excel in his future, whether he chooses to do so with a rap or a drum solo.