Patrick Sullivan: Student spotlight

On Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, the curtains will rise. Patrick “P-Sully” Sullivan will step onto the Ohio Theatre Stage as a finalist in Shining Star CLE, a Cleveland area high school talent contest. Over 200 students from eight counties in Ohio began in the competition’s first round, but their video auditions were whittled down to just 10 competitors. As one of these few remaining contestants, Sullivan will sing to a packed crowd for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship and sing at Severance Hall with the prestigious Cleveland Pops Youth Orchestra. 

Sullivan originally heard about the contest through a collection of friends and couldn’t wait to get involved. 

“I auditioned for Shining Star because it is such a great opportunity to compete against some of the most talented performers in the area and hone my craft,” he said. 

This interest in performance took root at a young age, as he performed short shows for family members and friends at gatherings. However, these home productions did not immediately translate to a love of the theatre.

“My parents brought me to see “Wicked” when I was five, and I fell asleep,” Sullivan commented. “I don’t remember it whatsoever.”

His next experience with musical theatre, on the other hand, was life-changing. The first musical he took a genuine interest in was “Jersey Boys,” a stellar 2005 jukebox musical he saw at Playhouse Square when he was in fifth grade. 

“I fell in love with musical theatre after seeing the show, and knew that I had to try being in a musical,” he said.

This revelation led him to join show choir in the sixth grade and to audition for his first show, “Shrek the Musical,” in the seventh. Sullivan’s love of theatre has since motivated his involvement in many productions both at Hoban and beyond, and he boasts an impressive resume as only a senior in high school. 

In perhaps his favorite show, an Akron Civic production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Sullivan got the chance to perform alongside his close friend Charlie Kadair as Herod, a powerful baritone role. Performing has had a resounding impact on Sullivan’s life, serving as a way to create poignant memories with some of his closest friends while dazzling an audience and perfecting his skills. 

Not only does Sullivan enjoy performing, he also draws inspiration from other productions and performers. His playlists include songs from “Hamilton,” “Little Women,” and “The Color Purple.” He plans to participate in musical theatre for as long as he can, and hopes to eventually take on such dream roles as Marius from “Les Miserables,” Tony from “West Side Story,” The Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera,” or the Emcee from “Cabaret.”