Todd Flanagan knew what he wanted to do when he grew up from an early age; he just wasn’t sure how to achieve his goal.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be in the television and do what the people on TV did,” said Flanagan, who will receivehis B.A. in theatre from Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, in December. “I didn’t know how they got there, but I knew it was something I wanted to do.”
Unfortunately, as he grew older, Flanagan chose a different path. He decided to follow the popular crowd and run track.
“I knew I had talent, but nobody else knew,”said Flanagan, a 2001 graduate of Genoa Central High School. “I could hear pitch, sing, and dance, but I didn’t let anyone around me know because it wasn’t praised.”
Flanagan found his calling while a student at SAU.
“I didn’t know theatre existed until SAU,” Flanagan admitted. “I was cast as the lead in “Our Town,” and I loved doing it and received positive feedback.”
Since that time, Flanagan has been involved in some shape or form with all theatre productions in the Department of Theatre and Mass Communication.
Flanagan will make his last appearance in an SAU theatre production in “The Voice of the Prairie,” to be presented at 7:30 p.m.nightly Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, on the stage of Harton Theater. Tickets are $2 for SAU students, faculty, and staff, and $4 for general admission.
“I definitely do not regret anything about choosing SAU to further my career in theatre,” said Flanagan.
Flanagan praises the Department for teaching its students everything from working behind the scenes, to auditioning, and everything you need to know about a career in theatre.
“The Department is really good at putting students in the middle of things,” said Flanagan. “By doing that, it helps us grow as all-around theatre students.”
Now that he is looking forward to graduating and making his dream of performing a reality, Flanagan is amazed by the opportunities he has.
“I have so many possibilities and things I want to do,” he said. “I don’t know what my life is going to be, but I believe in myself.”
After graduating in December, Flanagan will stay in the area until February, when he will audition for graduate school in Chicago.
His dream is to attend the University of Georgia because he likes the location and the hip-hop vibe and what they have to offer with music and dance. The reality is that he will be willing to attend any graduate school that accepts him in their program and offers a stipend.
Flanagan admits that he is also thinking of moving to the West Coast.
“Los Angeles is on my mind right now,” he said.“My cousin will move to L.A. in the summer, and I might go out there and start my career there.”
Whatever he decides to do, Flanagan just wants to make a living as a performer.
“I would like to perform anywhere and have it well received,” he said. “I want to be where I feel my craft is praised and accepted. I don’t necessarily want to be famous, but I would like to be well known in my craft.”
It looks like he learned how to achieve his childhood dream.
