Samantha Drake graduated in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and minor in Music, and she will be playing the role of Anna in the JSU Theatre Department’s Spring Awakening production. 

Since her childhood, Drake has aspired to be a performer. However, it was not until she entered college that she gained the confidence to pursue her passion. She attended Wallace State Community College before transferring to a four-year college to get a better idea of what career path she wanted to pursue, and this is where she gained confidence as she had the opportunity to perform in many ensembles and shows with instructors who supported her passion for performance. “I discovered that I couldn’t see a future for myself without being some kind of performer and with that in mind I made plans to transfer to Jacksonville State to finish my degree.”

During her time at JSU, Drake was involved in Alpha Psi Omega serving as Historian and an Understudy Educator and the JSU A Capella Choir and Chamber Singers, and she performed in Little Women, The Big Bad Bullysaurus,and The Importance of Being Ernest. 

Drake’s favorite part of working on Spring Awakening has been getting to sing the beautiful score. “The music is full of warm harmonies, crunchy dissonance, and is written in an incredibly unique way with beautiful parts for each individual character.” She is looking forward to seeing the production come together and the full cast in their costumes with the set and lights for the first time. Drake describes seeing the designs on paper transfer to the stage as magical. 

Drake’s favorite memories from her time at JSU were made in the parking lot of Stone Center after rehearsals as the cast, running off adrenaline from a fun night of rehearsing, would continue the fun as they walked to their cars. Drake found a relief of stress in the laughs and long talks that she shared with her peers. “Every night was like a stand-up special or a therapy session.”

Drake credits Directing with Professor Carolyn Conover as being her favorite class she took at JSU. She describes it as a challenging culmination of every class that she had taken thus far where she learned so much about what it means to be a director. The final exam in the class tasked students with casting and directing a one act play of the student’s choosing. Working with two of her closest friends “and seeing my vision come to life through their work was such a wonderful experience!” Drake hopes to have more opportunities to direct in the future. 

Drake advises current students to work at their own pace sharing that in her college experience, she often felt bad for being behind when obtaining her degree took longer than it took most other people. “Don’t spend your time comparing yourself to others because everyone’s journey is unique and special!” Drakes believes that if she had gone at the pace of others, she would have missed out on so many cherished friendships and experiences.

Drake credits her supportive parents, Doug and Tarri Drake, for helping her be the best version of herself. Since the day she told them that she couldn’t see herself having a job in any other field, they have supported her choices and encouraged her to do what makes her happy.