Joe Paderon is a senior member of Patriot Productions, the drama club at FTHS. He plays the role of Bobby in his last show, Curtains, the murder mystery musical that ran from March 10th-12th. As a leader in this organization, Joe is known for making everyone laugh, being a role model, and showing so much love to everyone involved in each production. I spoke to Joe about his experiences with performing over the past four years, and it’s evident that his spirit will live on with the drama program long after he graduates.

Hey Joe!

– Hello everyone! Hello world!

Congratulations on winning club student of the month for the drama club!

– Thank you!

So, to begin, what is it like being a senior in the drama club?

– It’s kind of a bittersweet and amazing feeling. I remember when I was a freshman and was the baby of the club, looking up to my senior friends and following their lead. By the time they graduated, I cried, and now it’s my time as a senior to take on the role of a leader who underclassmen can look up to. And hopefully I won’t cry as much. It’s a good feeling to know the growth I made in this club, both in acting and my personal character. The relationships I’ve made in this club so far are so valuable, and now makes it more bittersweet because I’m leaving. 

Aw! Especially considering that, how has the rehearsal process been? There have been returning performers, plus new faces, so how was it working with everyone?

– It was definitely something. Rehearsals are always fun, sometimes a pain in the butt, but it’s a great experience. Minus the mistakes, it’s a fun thing to do with your friends. Singing, dancing, acting – all of that. We even make mistakes together, which is always bound to happen, but it’s nice to laugh it off with friends and grow from it. 

I definitely understand. With everything about drama, what kept you in this club throughout your high school career? 

– It’s a funny story, but I wasn’t even planning on doing drama in high school. Mrs. Conners, actually, made me do the fall play my freshman year. I didn’t even audition because they needed boys, but she asked my choir class for any volunteers. I raised my hand and I was pushed into callbacks the next day, with that being my “audition”. The rest is history. I stayed because I fell in love with the people and what they stood for. The club is basically our love for the arts, so that kept me going all these years. 

I feel you. The community in drama is really something you can’t find anywhere else. What upperclassmen in the club have influenced you and this idea of a family?

– Well, definitely Riley Martin. She was a senior in 2019 and probably one of the biggest triple-threats I’ve seen on stage. Not only an amazing performer and person, but she really was the light of the club back then. Riley is pursuing musical theater in college, too, so she’s still pushing herself artistically. She was a great role model, but a greater caretaker and mother-figure to all. She just wanted to help others, and you can’t find another like her anywhere else. I love you Riley Martin!

Totally switching directions here, but in Curtains, you play the role of Bobby. With all of the dancing and singing that comes with the role, what has been your favorite moment while portraying him?

– I like my dancing a lot because Bobby Pepper is a choreographer in the show within a show, so he’s in a lot of the big group numbers. My favorite has to be the “Thataway!” dance, and some of my scenes with Joe Wicke, Natalie [Moradian], and Noah [Zalika]. My favorite line, actually, is a scene with all of them and Paige [Wehner] when I go “Career! Caarrreeer! Careeeeerr!”. 

Haha, yes. Curtains is also one of the first full-length musicals back in the auditorium after COVID. Do you feel a sense of nostalgia or find yourself reminiscing after being gone from the stage?

– Well of course. I didn’t even do the show last year, Seussical, so coming back was like my big return to the stage. It was a very rewarding experience, bringing back memories to what this club and the arts were like before the pandemic. I did shows like How to Succeed and Hello Dolly my freshman and sophomore year, so it totally brought the nostalgia back for sure – which is an amazing feeling. 

Of course. Now you’re a senior, what do you hope to leave with all of the underclassmen as a legacy? 

– I hope that everyone knows what’s leaving is an icon. Kidding. But, I want everyone to have fun with themselves. In this club, it seems high-intensity with the amount of critiques we get, the mistakes we make, and the yelling that happens, but at the end of the day, you have to laugh. There are times to be serious, but if you’re able to find a balance where you can goof around and have fun, the experience is more enjoyable. 

One last cliché question: What would you tell your freshman self after all of these experiences throughout high school? 

– I would tell my freshman self to calm down. Don’t be so stressed. Before high school, I was worried about doing the right thing all the time, but now, being less stressed allowed me to be more happy. Let things happen. It’s not up to you at the end of the day, and the best thing to do is let life take its course. 

Here’s what Mrs. Richardson and Ms. Robbins, co-directors of Curtains, had to say about Joe:

“Joe has shown extensive leadership throughout the rehearsal process in preparation for the spring musical, Curtains. He is welcoming to new members, makes everyone laugh, and is respectful to the advisors and his fellow students. He is so passionate about theater and his love for the art is contagious. He is a key member of our club and one we will miss tremendously in the coming years.”