By Lindsey Rowland
lrowland@wbcowqel.com
Some might view growing up in Crawford County as a disadvantage. Wynford graduate Trent Rowland isn’t one of them and discovered his roots made him a natural fit for the lead in the fall musical at one of the largest universities in the world.
“Crawford County is extremely important to me. I have learned so much there, and honestly, a lot of it came from playing football,” Rowland said. “There’s the physical aspect, in that I know what it means to use your body and energy properly as a tool for a larger goal; but even further, from growing up where I did and participating in what I worked hard at in high school, I understand work ethic, being a part of something bigger than myself, and, most importantly, staying humble in an environment when so much is reliant on your endorsement of yourself. I’ll never forget that.”
Rowland is currently playing the lead role of Jonny in The Ohio State University’s fall musical Zombie Prom.
The show hits close to home for Rowland, as it is set in the high school of a small, Midwestern town. The time period is in the 1950s when the world moving toward nuclear science and a genre of music all its own, which sets the stage for the show’s score.
In the story, the misunderstood “bad boy,” Rowland’s Jonny, comes to town and falls in love with the class sweetheart, Toffee. Because of his reputation, Toffee is forced to break up with Jonny, who runs off into the night and dies when he crashes into a nuclear power plant. Jonny, however, has unfinished business and comes back as a zombie so that he can graduate and win back his girl. His return sparks the ire of the devious principal, Miss Strict, and the interest of a news reporter in search of a big story.
“It’s a ridiculous show,” Rowland said, “but it makes fun of its own cheesiness, and that’s what makes it funny.”
Rowland has reveled in the experience.
“It has been amazing,” Rowland said. “I have been in two other shows at OSU, but this is my first musical and I’m very happy to get a chance at a lead role. I’ve had so much fun and singing is a great passion of mine, but I really hope to show my abilities to continue in the acting game. I’ve learned so much since my days on the Wynford stage.
In his pursuit of working professionally in theatre and film, Rowland hasn’t forgotten everything that he learned while growing up in Bucyrus. He does aspire to move away and pursue success in the film industry, but that doesn’t mean he is leaving everything he’s ever known behind.
“Going somewhere, to me, is all about making where you came from proud,” Rowland said. “You can go forward to different things, but you can’t forget about your past. Those are the people that lifted you up to your first step. I want the people of Bucyrus to look at me, be proud of me, and know that we share something special, especially my family. My thought is that you should fully invest in what you want to do once you find it. It’s ok to have a back up plan, but don’t settle there. I’ve learned to go forward with confidence in my abilities. Confidence is so important.
“Take your chances when you can and you’ll be able to form a path to where you want, just remember the starting point. Always.”
Zombie Prom runs Nov. 7-9 and 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee shows at 3 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 17 at the Drake Performance and Event Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 614-292-2295 or online through the Ohio State Theatre website. Contact can also be made by emailing Theatre-Tix@osu.edu.