Donnie Anderson showcases his ability to dance, sing and write

Ismael Rodriguez Staff Writer

Donnie Anderson II is a name many might not know. This young man is a theatre student with many talents. Donnie along with being in Theatre has a talent for dancing, singing and writing. He learned he had these skills a when he was young.

He began to dance a little when he was eight years old. It wasn’t until he was 11 that he really started to learn how to dance. He is mainly self-taught and takes the inspiration for his style from Justin Timberlake and the Michael Jackson. Many of his moves are things from concerts and music videos that he sees and then emulates.

“I got to put all of that practice to the test in my first musical, ‘Hairspray’ at Tacoma Musical Playhouse,” Donnie said. He tends to dance when he’s bored and likes to express himself through it also. Yet, That’s not his only talent.

Donnie began singing when he was 11 years old and was also again self-taught. He doesn’t like rap too much and though he’s not a huge fan he can rap.  He can rap a little and took some of his influence from Eminem. He specializes in a cappella though. “I got into music when I was about 11 and a cappella came to me the same time when I wouldn’t stop singing the Drake & Josh theme song,” he said

Along with dancing and a cappella he also writes. He enjoys writing and started to write when he was nine. “I started writing while I was living with my dad. I couldn’t express myself, so, I got bored and started writing,” He said.

From there he started writing what he wanted to see. Later when he was 12 years old he started to create his own original stories and kept practicing. He found when he started making his own stories that he was mixing genres like actions, science fiction, fantasy, and comedy amongst other things.

Donnie is a very talented student who has big aspirations. “I want to do a play with drama and some comedy,” Donnie said. He wants to design the choreography and music, but “I want to learn from the professionals, before I design a play though,” Donnie said. “I’m still learning to become better, but I want to discover my talents for acting before I go back to musicals, I’m trying to see how deep can I go with roles,”

Donnie rarely show cases these talents unless he has a reason and though he’s a little doubtful of his skills he keeps a positive attitude. “I’m a little shy of my talents, but my doubts don’t get me down, it makes me want to get better,” he said. He uses these talents primarily in the Theatre.