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Sam Jones started acting in seventh grade when he got involved in a Children’s Theatre of Greensboro production of “King Midas.” It was not until his freshman year at Weaver Academy, though, that he found himself immersed in Shakespeare and loving it.

“I would say being exposed to Shakespeare early on made me appreciate it more,” said Jones, a junior theater major at Weaver. “I feel like I have a good understanding of his work so I can relate better with the character.”

Jones learned recently that he is advancing to the National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City April 24-27 after winning at the regional level in March.
A first-time participant in the Shakespeare competition, Jones has already won $500 and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York for the national competition. He and 58 other students will compete for the top award, a scholarship to study at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England.

“I was ecstatic when I won the regional competition,” Jones said.

Jones performed a scene from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the regional level, playing Nick Bottom, who is just awaking after thinking he had a dream.

“He is just a great character to play, being a prideful and egotistical, yet not so intelligent man,” Jones said.

His second performance was Sonnet 120.
 

“I enjoy taking on characters and maybe portraying them differently than they are normally portrayed,” Jones said. “It’s really gratifying knowing that there isn’t just one way to create a character.”
 

He will be performing the same pieces in the national competition, where he will be judged on his understanding of the text, character and plot, his communication of the meaning of the pieces and the artistic expression he adds with his voice and movement.

“This piece was very animated and funny, and I was encouraged by the audiences’ laughter in response to the monologue,” Jones said. “For the sonnet, I focused more on the words and only gave small gestures.”

In preparation for the national competition, he has been working on his pieces at home, as well as with Jeffery West from UNCG, who was a judge at the regional level.

Jones also participated in the International Thespian Society Festival at the UNC School of the Arts, entering for monologues and set design. He most recently designed the set for “Sweeney Todd” at Weaver.

A lifeguard and a longtime member of the swim team at Friendly Park Pool, Jones said he will spend this summer at the 2010 Governor’s School in drama. He’s also active in his school’s Interact Club, and he participated in the Very Special Arts Festival at Gateway Education Center recently. As for the future, he said, he’s unsure. He’s auditioning for the UNC School of the Arts drama program for his senior year.

“I would absolutely love to continue in acting; however, there is no guarantee in being successful,” Jones said. “I know theater will be in my life in some way.”

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer.brown @news-record.com