Abbie Fleeman
1. What is your favorite part of being in theatre?
Zhang: The process, of course. You get to make so many memories with your cast or crew, and each show feels like a whole experience when you realize that it’s not just about the performance.
2. If you could give advice to someone trying to get into theatre what advice would you give?
Zhang: If you’re getting into theatre, the biggest advice is don’t be afraid. Theatre is one of those things that branch into many other different skills you need to learn, so take it one step at a time and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
3. What was your role in the radio program?
Zhang: I could be considered the student director for Wildcat Waves Radio for 2023-2025. In less flattering words, I just ran the radio. I also handled podcasting and participated in some podcast competitions.
4. What drew you to the radio program?
Zhang: I’m pursuing a future in music or audio, and since I have a solid musical background, I decided to join radio so I could get more acquainted with the audio engineering side of things, which would help me in the future if I were to become a music producer, audio engineer or run a radio.
5. What was your favorite part of radio?
Zhang: Being able to choose the music for the school feels like too much power sometimes. Other than that, participating in podcasting competitions with Austin and Jayden was absolutely amazing, and hopefully me and Austin still get to do that.
6. Does balancing extracurricular activities get hard? How do you manage that?
Zhang: This is a question I get asked a lot. It does feel overwhelming and extremely tiring sometimes, but school is easy, and I’m having fun with all of those hobbies and extracurricular activities, so it doesn’t feel soul-crushing or anything. As for managing all of it, all I can say is scheduling. I time-block per month on a whiteboard calendar, always have a to-do list or agenda at hand, and that’s how I get through things without having a breakdown.
7. What was your biggest accomplishment and why are you proud of it?
Zhang: Hard to say, if we’re talking about awards, they all feel the same to me. But if I’d have to choose, it would either be my name on the 2024-2025 #TheStandard award in the green room, or being an awardee for the Dallas Symphonic Festival. Otherwise, getting to where I am now in terms of being a pianist is something I’m really proud of, because people are often surprised at what I can do, and that feels comforting.
8. Who is a staff member that has left a big impact on you?
Zhang: They all have, but I’d say Mr. Easley. He’s clearly someone that loves doing what he does, and I can say that I won’t be forgetting my year in AP World History with him anytime soon. The Assassin’s Creed references, the World War talks, the opportunity to dress in a regency coat— for a class, it felt like a fever dream sometimes. Even now, when I’m walking through the hallways, I feel inclined to just go to his classroom and say hi. That, to me, is precious and rare.
9. What is your favorite high school memory?
Zhang: I cannot choose one, so I’m going to choose three. You Can’t Take It With You because it was a show with a whole new scale and the payoff for my work on that was incredible. I was recognized at Target and Walmart of all things. The Play That Goes Wrong, because it was the best overall experience I’ve had with a show, and even started a new Dungeons and Dragons group because of it. My freshman year dissection era, where our dissection group started a small Minecraft server over that.
10. What are you most excited about for your senior year?
Zhang: As soon as I get my college apps filled out, I’ll be excited for literally everything. It feels like such a chore to do, but as soon as that weight is lifted off my shoulders, senior year feels like a blast. That being said, I am very much looking forward to my last prom, the graduation ceremony, and UIL One-Act Play in the second semester.
11. What are your plans for after high school?
Zhang: Currently applying to colleges like everyone else and wanting to pursue music education, maybe at SMU or, if I’m delusional and lucky enough, Juilliard. However, a new path is opening for me, and I’m currently hosting a Dungeons and Dragons game as a job. So who knows, maybe I’ll be a professional game host of sorts, or keep going with what I’m currently doing and be a music director, or film scorer or something.