Homework can wait. School can wait. The only thing that matters now is that junior Tyler Ellis escapes Berlin before the bliss of the Cabaret lulls him into oblivion.
As his junior year unfolds, Tyler has found himself in leading roles in three different productions at once: the Youth Musical Theater Company’s production of “Cabaret,” Advanced Acting’s fall play “She Kills Monsters,” and PHS’s annual musical “Footloose”.
“I didn’t think it was going to work out doing three shows at once during junior year,” Tyler said. “It all fell into place and I just had to do them all.”
“Cabaret” had its final performances during the weekends of Oct. 10 and Oct. 17. The week before opening night, Tyler, starring as main love interest Cliff Bradshaw, rehearsed from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. every night.
“I learned about “Cabaret” last spring and I knew it was a show that not many teenagers get to do because it has some heavy subject matter,” Tyler said. “I knew I wouldn’t have another chance to do it while I’m young, so I thought I’d just go for it.”
As for the school musical, Tyler saw no question in skipping it since he has participated every year. This year, he is taking on the lead role of Ren McCormick.
“It’s working out because at least in the beginning, ‘Footloose’ is pretty minimal  even for the leads,” Tyler said. “It’s only like two or three times a week, and Mrs. Moorhead is really flexible.”
Tyler had not planned to be in a fall play, but was cast as Chuck, an obsessed Dungeons and Dragons master, in “She Kills Monsters” anyway, with a promise from acting director Kim Taylor that they could work around his schedule.
“It ended up where all three of my directors had to agree to work with me around everything,” Tyler said.
Junior Yael Gordon, who is in Advanced Acting with Tyler, said she has noticed how stressed out he is.
“But I don’t doubt for a second he isn’t going to pull off every show,” Gordon said. “I just saw “Cabaret” and he was phenomenal.”
Tyler’s mother, Karen Ellis, said he spends a lot of his free time learning lines and getting into character.
“I was worried at first when Tyler told me he would be overlapping with three shows this fall,” Karen said. “Tyler knows his limits and I have faith that if he felt it was too much, he wouldn’t have taken it on.”
Tyler said that with rehearsals for three shows happening at once, he has had to prioritize homework below his theater activities.
“In my case, the show usually comes first,” he said. “I have to focus on what I’m doing, and I’ll do my homework when I get home. I’ve never missed rehearsal for school.”
So far Tyler has managed to stay on top of everything despite his commitments.
“I’ve had a lot of luck with this,” he said. “I’m waiting for a building or something to fall on me to make it even.”
Tyler said one thing he loves about acting is the release he feels when onstage.
“I love delving into a story and a character, feeling outside of myself,” he said.
Although he cannot say what exactly he will do when he is older, he knows his interests.
“I definitely want to keep going on a certain route that has to do with entertainment, whether it be advertising or working behind the scenes in some way,” Tyler said.
He will probably be looking for colleges that offer double majors or minors in theater. However, he will still make sure to keep his options open.
“Majoring in theater seems risky,” Tyler said. “A lot of people I know see theater as their only option. I like to think that I have other options besides that.”
Karen said she imagines the performing arts will remain a part of Tyler’s life in the future.
“He puts his all into every show he does,” Karen said. “My favorite part about Tyler’s performances is watching him transform into different characters, but seeing a little bit of his real personality shine through in each role he plays.”
Gordon said she would not be surprised if Tyler made it to Broadway.
“He has such talent and charisma that it will definitely take him very far,” Gordon said.
While Tyler recognizes the impracticality, he admits that stardom is still on his mind.
“It would also be awesome to be a famous celebrity actor,” he said. “But we’ll see about that.”