Senior Liam Pettitt, who is well know for their passion for theater and acting has made such a huge imact on Frederick. They are extremely talented in what they do, and will carry on their passion for theater outside of high school.
Mrs. Nugent, Liam’s AP Language teacher, was astonished when she went and saw the fall production, MacBeth. She’s seen Liam grow throughout high school and has been one of their big supporters.
“Liam is a gift to have in any class, one I have personally benefited from for two years. They are very flexible, willing to fit in wherever they are needed in any given situation”
She expresses the emotion in Liam, the talent they bring to the stage “They tend to be on the quieter side of things. An observer. Getting to see Liam on stage in the role of Macduff, in such a commanding role was one of those memories that as a teacher I will carry forever. They were hauntingly beautiful, both tapping into the character and emotional psyche of Macduff while also making Shakespeare approachable and easy to understand for the entire audience.”
Mrs Nugent speaks further, “It takes a truly gifted human to be able to strike that balance so perfectly, and I am in no way surprised that Liam was the one to be able to do that.”
Senior Liam Pettitt, began acting in the 5th grade, participating in a school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream as King Oberon; has now moved on to bigger acts. Recently finishing the play Macbeth, as the Great Macduff. Now beginning to direct their first self written One Act play, Krüger 60.
After high school, Liam looks at attending Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts to pursue stage acting in Connecticut. Liam finds ‘dramatic story telling’ to be “one of the most effective forms of dispensing narratives and driving home moral lessons & ideas.” She finds acting a beautiful way of expression.
“There’s a certain disconnect between the reader/viewer and the character when it comes to books and films. But it’s very powerful to see people right in front of you. Acting out these stories and expressing these emotions in raw and physical ways. ”
To Liam, “live theater, to me, feels very real.”
Additionally, one of Liam’s biggest supporters, best friend, and girlfriend of 2 years, Mia Salas, has brought immense inspiration to Liam’s life. “I look up to her for her technical prowess and artistic vision.” Liam and Mia have been amazing supporters for each other in theater throughout the years.
“I don’t think I would’ve gone as far as I did in theater if it weren’t for her.”
Liam began their acting career in high school just in their freshman year, when they acted in their first, high school play, Almost Maine. They were inducted into Troupe 4391 just as freshmen in 2021.
Liam has been in 6 plays at Frederick Highschool:
– Almost Maine – Phil
– The Madwoman of Chaillot – The Prospector
– The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood – Friar Tuck
– Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse – Gym teacher
– Clue – Professor Plum
– Macbeth – Macduff
3 One Acts:
– How To Kiss A Girl – Stacy’s dad
– Badger – Chester
– Kimblosticks The Secret Agent – The Shadowy Figure
And 3 musicals:
– A Chorus Line – Zach
– Mamma Mia – Harry
– High Fidelity – Futon Guy
Not only has Liam been an actor, but they have also participated and helped out a lot with tech. While they’ve only fully done tech once, for the musical Joseph & The Technicolored Dream Coat, they help out during Saturday rehearsals and tech days as well.
Liam plans on auditioning for their final show at Frederick high in the spring, Legally Blonde The Musical. Liam has brought a shine to the theater community and their classes with their work.
For the one act they’ve written, they have the opportunity to bring their ideas into a real life play for their cast to perform in January. Liam explains her one act as a fantasy thriller, following a failing conspiracy-theorist-scammer. Liam is a rather reserved student, they share their ideas in their own matters.
For anyone that doesn’t know Liam, they may just see them as a quiet student in classes. But if you go down to the auditorium once in a while, you’ll see their beautiful voice and the acting they express inside themself.
Liam’s Sophomore algebra teacher, Mr. Klimper saw the musical Mamma Mia in 2024. Liam played Harry, one of the lead love interests. “When I first saw them in the theater it was in Mamma Mia. They were a STAR! I was shocked. They were killin’ it on the stage and so animated and just amazing.”
Mr Klimper expresses Liam’s action in school. “They come out of their shell on that stage and really embrace any role they play. My jaw hit the floor and I was so proud of them.”
After seeing Mamma Mia, Mr. Klimper says “I instantly had the feeling of “I know them! Wow, I actually know that star” It was a really cool feeling.”
“The crazy thing is that they sat in the back and really did not talk much at all. I never really heard Liam talk besides when we did the attendance question of the day.”
Liam has shown insane progress in acting and how they present themselves. Liam graduates in May, having been in theater for all four years, they explained, “I wanna leave off my high school career having made people feel something when I performed.”
Their acting, and shine will be carried on and remembered in troupe 4391 for sure.
