High School Drama: Siegel High's Spotlight Award-nominated CALEB MITCHELL

The role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty-Terrance McNally musical Ragtime is one coveted by actors of all ages - not the least of whom is Siegel High School student Caleb Mitchell, who took on the challenge of bringing the character to life in his school's production of the show earlier this spring. And for his efforts, Mitchell was one of three finalists for The Spotlight Award for best actor in a musical, the culmination of the 2016-17 Nashville High School Music Theatre Awards.

To be certain, Caleb's task was a daunting one: Ragtime is one of the most beloved musical theater titles of the 21st Century (it debuted in Toronto in 1996, followed by its Broadway premiere in 1998 and its subsequent 2009 revival on the main stem) and the pivotal role of Coalhouse has been assayed by actors on every level of theatrical performance, from academic theatre to community theatre, from regional productions to London's West End.

So, what sets Caleb Mitchell's performance apart? Caleb, himself, according to the woman who heads the choral department at Murfreesboro's Siegel High and who co-directed the recent production with Richard Browder.

"Caleb's talent is the perfect storm of a phenomenal singing voice, great dance ability, and a keen sense of what his character onstage is feeling," says educator Brenda Gregory, a 2015 First Night Star Award winner, whose talented students have been making an impact in music and theater for a generation now. "He is a triple threat in the best sense of the word!"

With Caleb's eyes focused squarely on a career as an actor, with dreams of Broadway in his heart, he was able to take on our questions to become the latest young performer in our High School Drama series. Read on, and get to know him better...while he's still ours:

What is your theatrical goal in life? To perform on Broadway for a living, everyone says that but it's the truest answer. To perform on any stage on Broadway with any show company would be incredible. Maybe a little role here and there to, but that's a true dream. So is being part of the Phantom of the Opera cast.

If you could play any role in any show - what would you choose? That's tough, but I'd have to say Phantom of the Opera. It's the show that got me hooked to musical theatre. The Phantom character to me is a gentle, but strong role. There's a lot of beauty behind the disfigured face and mask. So, yes, Phantom.

What's been your best theatrical experience to date? I'd say my high school's production of Ragtime this year. It was by far the best show I've been in since I started. It would take me a good 30 minutes to just explain why. But long story short: the maturity and the professionalism is the main thing, not to mention the cast were all incredibly talented.

Who are your favorite actors? Ramin Kamiloo and Norm Lewis, by far. Their voices and acting have always pushed me to be my best vocally and performance-wise.

What show that you've never seen would you most like to see live, onstage? I'd have to say The Color Purple, because it's such a good show. The music is so amazing, and the plot is heart-wrenching - no doubt I'd probably cry in the first five minutes.

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