By Jen Hight
Online Editor

Two former Cal High students with a passion for acting have moved to Los Angeles to get closer to the action.

Seniors Graham Harper and Ben Newman are both attending the Ramon Cortinas High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Los Angeles.

The two left their friends and families in San Ramon in order to pursue their dreams of becoming professional actors.

Harper is now living with his mother, and Newman is living with his father.

One of the main reasons students attend this school is because of the opportunities it provides students in the field of performing arts.

Located in the heart of L.A., students are closer to auditions and get more connections in the entertainment world than they would in San Francisco, said Harper.

“The school is an added bonus,” said Harper. “They are very reputable and the staff is seasoned and well rounded.”

The school also prepares students who plan on going to a performing arts college.

While the school offers traditional academic courses, it also offers specialized classes for acting students, according to Harper and Newman.

Newman is taking musical theater, Shakespeare, and advanced acting.

He said he has enjoyed discovering the meaning behind each of Shakespeare’s lines, which makes the writing more interesting to him.

At times, Newman said he’s been living in his own high school musical.

Newman said he’s been learning how to dance in musicals and, every now and then in his musical theater class, he and his classmates will be studying a musical and will burst into a song from the musical.

“We don’t do it randomly but it has happened a million times,” said Newman.

Harper has also been taking advanced musical theater at Cortinas.

He’s been taking song studies, acting, dancing, and vocal work.

To get into the advanced theater program, Harper had to audition in front of the head of the theater program.

But Harper said the best part about Cortinas is the people.

“I’m surrounded by a lot of talent and they’re all really nice,” said Harper.

Both Harper and Newman said life in San Ramon prepared them for the new school in both academic and theatrical aspects.

“After learning about acting through Cal High, I found a passion for acting,” Newman said.

The most important part of the school for Harper is to be in L.A. for auditions, so he can get these opportunities, said choir teacher Lucerne Mottaz.

Both Newman and Harper are trying to secure roles. Newman recently auditioned for the play “Shadowbox” which is about three people who are all dying from terminal illnesses, such as cancer and dementia.

The focus of the play is on the interactions between the friends and families of the people who are dying, and how each person handles the different stages of grief.

“It’s very heavy, it’s a hard play to watch,” said Newman, who is hoping to play one of the terminally ill characters.

Harper has not auditioned yet, but is planning to in the near future.

“The whole reason I’m down here is because they cast from August to September,” said Harper.

One of the downsides of moving to L.A. is Harper and Newman are unable to stay in close contact with many family members and friends.

But their loved ones accept their ambition.

“I’m happy for him,” said Cal senior Abigail Harper, Graham’s twin sister. “I’m glad he’s got this wonderful opportunity to further his dream.”