Brandon Michael Willis
By Joan Frances –
Travis High School in Fort Bend Independent School District has an abundance of talented students. From academics to athletics to the fine arts, the school’s administration believes a well-rounded student is better prepared for the next step in life after graduation. One senior who is talented and engaging is Brandon Willis.
Brandon has been a member of the drama club all of his high school career. In addition, he is a member of the Thespian Honor Club. He has competed at the Texas Thespian State Conference every year, ranking superior in voice and acting. He also performed many roles in productions, and one of his favorites was Xanadu. Brandon said, “One thing I will treasure most from my high school experience is my theatre troupe’s spring musical my freshman year, Xanadu. Xanadu was my first high school show, and I will always treasure the people involved and the relationships I formed during that show.” Brandon also sings tenor in the choir. He competed in Solo and Ensemble every year and placed in All State Region.
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Brandon challenges himself by taking Advanced Placement core classes. He will take college level math classes as a senior. When asked what value he lives by, Brandon said, “Never give up. In school and theatre, there is always room for improvement. You’ll never be the best you can be, and settling for something less than your very best wouldn’t be fair to you. Theatre is a skill that must be improved and polished regularly. Each show that I do, I hope to learn something new and gain a new skill. Never giving up gets me closer and closer to my goal each day.”
Brandon’s favorite teacher is his director, Mandy Seymore Sensat, from his local theatre, Inspiration Stage. “I started working with Mandy my freshman year in high school, and since then she has made a significant impact on my life. She has taught me things I wouldn’t be able to learn from anyone else, such as developing character, improving my dancing, along with giving me multiple opportunities to experience professional theatre like doing adult shows and traveling to New York next Spring Break to perform on Broadway. I am grateful for the opportunities she has given me and the lessons she has taught me.”
Caden Thomas, Brandon Willis and Kaylon Banks.
Being a leader is a role Brandon takes very seriously. “Being a leader or upperclassman in theatre brings many responsibilities. Your director expects you to carry shows and to keep everyone on task during rehearsals. It is a fulfilling position, because you can make choices that will improve the troupe or theatre. You can get more people involved as well, which always makes an underclassman feel wanted and accepted. It is rewarding, because we are one troupe that works together for a common goal. Theatre provides a sense of unity and family.”
Brandon has college auditions at the Texas Thespian State Conference this December, when he will also perform in the All State show Big Fish. He is deciding between several universities, including Oklahoma City University and Sam Houston State University. Brandon plans to attain a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Musical Theatre and minor in Political Science, which will allow him to pursue law school. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments Brandon, and good luck as you take the next step to your future.