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NORFOLK – Braydon Hoesing’s skills on the stage and strong support system have helped him soar to new heights.
The Wausa High School sophomore helped his school win the Class D1 state championship and was then named Class D1’s Outstanding Male Performer at the Nebraska School Activities Association Play Production Championships on Dec. 6 at Norfolk’s Johnny Carson Theatre.
“I knew I had a chance, but there were so many good actors,” Braydon said.
He played Pisthetaerus, one of the lead characters in Wausa Play Production’s “The Birds,” a comedic adaptation of the original Greek play by Aristophanes.
The original production tells the story of two Athenians who, sick of their city’s political unrest and corruption, choose to construct a utopian city in the sky that is inhabited by birds.
“I play off of the audience,” Braydon said. “It’s so fun. I’ve always loved performing, making people happy. Last year in speech, I showed that. I just love audiences, I love people.
“Entertaining that many people in front of me – it’s the best feeling in the world,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade if for anything.”
Wausa also won the state team title this year under the leadership of longtime one-act coaches Brad and Sheila Hoesing, Braydon’s parents.
“We’re obviously very proud of Braydon,” Brad said. “He got awards because of his hard work, but also there are a lot of kids around him that do great things to set all of themselves up (for success).
“It’s truly a team thing,” he said. “I’m really proud of all our kids – my kids, but they’re all our kids. All (50-plus) of those kids are our kids. We’re really proud of them all.”
Braydon credited his fellow cast mates and the crew members for helping him win an individual honor.
“I couldn’t have done it without being able to play off of all of the amazing actors up there,” Braydon said. “They really helped me push forward this year. Everyone being so supportive made me push myself harder than I ever have before, which landed me here.”
One of the cast members Braydon played well off of was Wausa senior Holly Johnson, a fellow lead character named Euelpides.
Holly is familiar with winning an individual honor at the state oneact contest, as she was named Class D1’s Outstanding Female Performer last year.
“Having someone like that to play off of – it makes being good h ard not to do when you have someone like her to play off of,” Braydon said. “I’m super thankful that I was able to do this with her and sen d her off in a way that she deserved.”
