AP Graduate To Sing, Dance At Walt Disney

AVON PARK - Any "tween" or parent of one can confirm that "High School Musical 2" is totally cool, so when Derrick Roper had the chance to become part of the Wildcat fever, he jumped on board.

Roper, of Avon Park, has been cast in the lead role of Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios performance of "High School Musical 2."

Tweens will squeal when Roper, who uses the stage name Antwuan, takes the stage to sing and dance in the daily performances in front of Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat on Hollywood Boulevard in the park formerly called Disney-MGM Studios.

The role is a dream come true for the 23-year-old, who said he has always wanted to be in a professional musical.

"The director said the audience gets really into the show, and the kids love all the characters," Roper said. "We will have people really energized and singing and dancing along."

He has to be energized as well. He described the dance choreography as "very aerobic," and the cast has about six performances per day. He likes the message of the movie and show, and thinks its an important one to convey to kids.

"The theme of the movie is all about coming together as a team," Roper said.

Cynthia Barrett, one of Roper's mentors, said she cannot think of anyone to better convey that theme and serve as a role model.

"Children naturally look up to him as an idol because he has made great decisions and is a great person," Barrett said. "He is a very positive role model, and I am so excited for him."

Barrett, a social sciences teacher at Avon Park High School, had Roper in class for four years and served as his mentor through the College Reach Out Program. She is one of the first people Roper called when he went to auditions and again when he was offered the part.

"Some people discouraged him, but I always stood by him and believed in him," Barrett said. "I believe in my students and always tell them to follow their dreams."

Roper, a 2003 graduate of Avon Park High School, was president of his class, homecoming king and active in community choir, cheerleading and dance. Barrett said she recognized his potential right away.

"I saw something special in Derrick the first time I met him, and I wanted to make sure he reached his full potential," Barrett said. "I think he is a great success story - a kid from a single-parent family, who grew up in Avon Park, and is proving that you can succeed."

The transition into professional theater has been a whirlwind for the performer. Roper found the audition information online while looking for an internship and decided to go for it. The hiring director called him a few days after the audition to offer him the role.

Before accepting the part, he consulted with Barrett and Felicia Dozier, a counselor at South Florida Community College, who was his advisor when he was a student there, about putting his education on hold.

Roper, a senior performance major at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, was set to graduate this year.

"He was very torn between whether to finish college or take this role," Dozier said. "We decided this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that he just can't pass up.

Now I just can't wait to take a group of kids up there and see him."

FAST FACTS
When "High School Musical 2" debuted Aug. 17, 2007 on the Disney Channel, more than 17.3 million viewers tuned in making it, at the time, the highest-rated basic cable broadcast in U.S. history.

The record was broken Dec. 6 when 17.5 million viewers watched the Patriots vs. Ravens football game on ESPN.