Stepping into the spotlight: Zakee Branch

The lights begin to dim, signaling the show is about to begin. Music begins to flow from the pit. A single spotlight falls upon the stage, highlighting a person dressed in yellow. SpongeBob: The Musical has begun.

A new character appears. This one is dressed in red, with crab claws instead of hands. He’s obsessed with money and has a slight pirate accent. 

As the show continues, this character discovers what it means to find happiness in things besides money, like family and friendship. The actor, on the other hand, portrays this development by singing numerous songs and dancing with precision and grace.

 The actor, senior Zakee Branch, was excited when he discovered he would be playing Mr. Krabs in Lafayette High School’s production of SpongeBob: The Musical. He’s been performing with the Lafayette Theater Company (LTC) throughout his four years in high school.

Branch’s theater career began in sixth grade at Rockwood Valley Middle School, where he auditioned for his first-ever show, The Giver. 

“When I auditioned for the role, I got called back. I did not get the role, unfortunately. [However],  I was like ‘hey, I wanna keep on doing this because I think I’ll get far in theater throughout the years’,” Branch said.

Branch continued with his theater career throughout middle school, landing roles like Deputy Jill in The Taming of Katy Lou and one of the princes in Fractured.

Although Branch was uncertain about continuing theater, he changed his mind once he saw Legally Blonde. After one show, he talked to Mrs. Fischer about LTC and knew instantly that theater was his path. 

“I just talked to [Mrs. Fischer] and got to know her a little bit. We’re like best friends now. I love her work and everything she does throughout the theater company. She works so hard to get our shows running and funded,” Branch said.

Branch’s favorite show from his high school career is Footloose, where he was in the ensemble and was one of the dance captains. 

“I got to teach some dances alongside other people who were dance captains. It was a very fun show to do and try out for. I just loved it. I would go back in time to do it all over again because it was just so much fun,” Branch said.

Branch plans to continue theater in college at The University of Missouri-Columbia, where he plans to minor in theater performance. Branch is excited to continue his journey and continue to improve his performance skills.

“Without theater, I would not be as outgoing as I am right now because theater helped me burst out of my shell a lot. I think without theater, I would not be the person that I am right now,” Branch said.