Mikeal Campbell began his performing career after opposition from his sister.
Challenge accepted.
Campbell, a senior at Fort Dodge Senior High School, began his stage career in eighth grade.
“The reason I started performing was because my younger sister said that doing a musical and playing sports at the same time wasn’t possible,” Campbell said. “I ended up loving it so much that I stuck with it.”
As a junior Campbell was one of the lead male roles as Ren McCormack in Fort Dodge’s 95th annual musical “Footloose.”
With his performance, Campbell earned the award of Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role. With the honor he was invited to participate in the Triple Threat Program, which brings together the best high school musical performers in the state to learn and perform together.
The FDSH cast earned outstanding musical production and performed on the Civic Center stage at the Iowa High School Music Theater Showcase this past June.
He also portrayed Pierre Pourri in FDSH’s fall play “While the Light Were Out.”
While on stage it allows Campbell to express himself and showcase his talents in different ways.
“The most important thing about performing to me is creating your own special and unique show that will never be done the same way again,” Campbell said. “You build such a bond with your castmates and you know that your show is one of a kind.
“For me, performing is a mix of being myself and being somebody else because I get to portray emotions that I sometimes struggle expressing.”
The fondest memory on stage for the actor came during the presentation of “Footloose.”
“Arguably the most memorable thing that has happened during my time as a performer was during the opening night of ‘Footloose,’ Campbell said. “We had a row of lockers for the set that we had on wheels to make it easier to move. It was off stage during a scene where I had to move around it in the dark to get to the wing where I was supposed to enter.
“As I was moving around it I heard a strange noise. This strange noise was actually the sound of the locker falling and I quickly moved out of the way before it fell to the ground (those in attendance opening night definitely heard it).
“I was so shocked, but I entered the stage anyway. During this scene I get slapped by my good friend Jacob Marxen who played my Uncle Wes. He never hit me hard… until opening night. I always encouraged Jacob to make the slap real and he most definitely did that night. At the time it wasn’t very funny, but looking back It’s definitely my most memorable moment.”
Taking the stage takes a lot of work and to be able to perform an actor needs someone to lean on for advice or someone to be that calming influence.
“Some of my biggest influences for performing have definitely been my choir teacher Mr. (Matt) Drees, my director Mrs. (Lindey) Krug,” Campbell said. “And my good friends and castmates Malaney Butrick, Aaron Amhof and Kane Freeman.”
Aside from theatre, Campbell is also involved in marching band, choir and soccer. Campbell is also a manager for the Fort Dodge volleyball team.
Vacation destination: Australia.
People I would like to have dinner with: Jeremy Jordan, Aaaron Tveit, Michael Arden.
It would surprise people that: When I was 3, I was the first live vocal guest on the Johnny Cash Radio Show. I sang Folsom Prison Blues.
Performer that inspires me: Jeremy Jordan. He is able to convey emotions so heavily and can make difficult vocal techniques seem effortless.
I can’t go a day without: singing or playing my instruments.
Where do I see myself in 10 years?
I hope that I make a career out of performing and that I can do what I love on a day-to-day basis.
What are you listening to: Goodbye Song by George Salazar.
Dream piece: Fly Fly Away from Catch Me If You Can.
Favorites…
Musical: Clean.
Musical genre: Musical Theatre.
Performing Arts: Musical theatre.
Music genre: Musical theatre.
Book: Scythe by Neal Shusterman.
Instrument: my voice.
Class: Choir.
Phone App.: Apple Music.
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