Fine Arts Student of the Week: Senior embraces acting after saying goodbye to sports

Tayler Borders

Grade: Senior.

Age: 18.

Art focus: Brainerd High School Theater.

Adviser nomination: "Tayler Borders plays a very challenging and energetic role in 'Rumors.' He has a two and a half page monologue at the end of the show, and it is extremely difficult to keep the attention of the audience for that period of time, but Tayler does it splendidly. He actually received a round of applause from the audience at the Nov. 8 matinee, which is quite an honor. 'Rumors' is his first production, and he has greatly improved from our first rehearsal in September. I am proud of him. Not many students are both athletes and artists, but Borders breaks that stereotype. Well done, Tayler."

Memorable fine arts achievement: "When I first made it into Windfall in 11th grade. I was freaked out because I didn't think I would make it in, but I did."

Other fine arts activities: A Cappella Choir and Windfall.

Why did you join theater: "I was in sports and all of a sudden I wasn't in sports because of my knee. I really tried (to stay in sports), but it didn't work. I talked to my mom and asked her if I should do theater. She said to go for it, so I tried out. I needed to be busy with something, otherwise I would go crazy."

How did you feel when you finished the first show: "The first moment when I walked on the stage I was like what is my next line, but I did say it right, I was just so nervous. I've performed in front of an audience before in choir, but it is a different type of performing. After being on stage I was like, 'you can do this.' Then it was fun and I knew I could do it again."

Most challenging task in play: "After the challenge with the two-page monologue, it was acting. This was my first time acting and discovering these lines. It was like acting on top of acting, which was really crazy because my character was crazy. I was able to really get into the acting part of my character."

Will you join more plays: "I definitely plan on auditioning for the One Act play and the spring play. A lot of people are auditioning for the One Act. Acting is fun. It's fun to be out there and when the character is funny and you make people laugh it's great. Or any of the emotions and you are able to project a picture and you become your character."

Artist most admired: "Michael Buble. His tone is so cool."

Favorite actor: Matt Damon.

Dream job: "If I could be a professional singer that would be cool. I would like to write songs. ... I listen to music when I am down and it makes me feel better and I want to help people if they're feeling down."

Favorite TV show: "Supernatural."

Favorite book: The Harry Potter series.

Last movie you saw in theater: "The Martian."

Favorite sport: "I love football, the Brainerd Warriors. I love playing sports. I'm not much into watching them. When I was in sports I played football, baseball and wrestling and now I am in taekwondo."

Favorite food: Crab.

Are you a deer hunter: "Yes I am. I couldn't go this year because I was in the play. I had to take a year off. The biggest deer I shot was a 4-point buck."

Parents: Jennifer and Jake Bahr of rural Brainerd.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5851. Follow me at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl on Twitter.