Steven Hicks ’26 is a four-year Senior from Austin, Texas. He has appeared in seven mainstage productions and is currently playing the lead in the Winter play, Frankenstein.
Outside of theatre, Hicks is a member of JV Lacrosse and Mountain Biking, serves on the board of the Hotchkiss Political Union, and is in his second year as a proctor in Hurst Hall.
What first drew you to theatre, and what keeps you passionate about performing?
I took a few theatre classes in middle school, but it wasn’t until I got to Hotchkiss that I started to enjoy it more.
During my Prep year, I watched Into the Woods, the musical that year; seeing that production showed me what theatre at Hotchkiss could be.
It inspired me to audition for Lady Windermere’s Fan and after that experience, I just kept going. I haven’t looked back since, and performing has become something I genuinely enjoy and care about.
Is there a role that stands out as your favorite, most memorable, or most challenging?
My favorite role is usually whatever I’m playing at the moment, so right now it’s the Creature in Frankenstein.
It’s been a really challenging role because it requires a lot of physical acting. Finding the right physicality and shaping the voice for the Creature has been an exciting challenge for me.
The Creature is made from bits and pieces of other people, meaning its movements are a little off and its voice is different. Working with all of that has been both difficult and really rewarding.
How has the school shaped your journey in theatre?
I take theatre more seriously now. My first role was in Lady Windermere’s Fan, where I played a comedic relief character. It was a twist on the children’s play The Emperor’s New Clothes, so we were all in our underpants on stage.
I remember hiking my costume up, making my hair wild, and just having fun with everyone.
After that, I started taking on more serious roles. Ms. MK Lawson, my advisor and theatre teacher, has had a huge impact on my theatre experience here. Mr. Derek Brashears, the head of the theatre department, also plays a big role. He handles tech and is directing Frankenstein.
I love learning from both of them because they have so much experience and knowledge.
What would you say to students who want to try acting but aren’t sure if it’s for them?
You’ll never know if you don’t try! Black Box productions are a great way to get involved and explore acting without committing to a full mainstage show.
The HDA board tries to cast as many people as possible and give new performers the chance to gain experience on stage.
Even if you start with a Black Box, you should still consider auditioning for a Mainstage production when you have the chance. That’s a really great opportunity to challenge yourself and grow as a performer.
