Taylor Hicks told students at Hoover High School today that their biggest dreams could become realities, and the 2006 "American Idol" winner spoke from experience.
A 1995 graduate of Hoover High, Hicks sat where they were, literally.
"If you close your eyes and you think about whatever you want to be, I did that in those seats that you are sitting in," he said.
Hicks, who was introduced by Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos, appeared in the school auditorium today with Eric Schneider and Emily Padgett, who are co-starring with Hicks in the Broadway Across America production of "Grease," which is in Birmingham through Sunday at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Concert Hall.
All three answered questions from students about their craft.
How is musical theater different than Hicks' "American Idol" experience?
"Well, in musical theater, they don't have Simon Cowell," Hicks said, referring to the judge known for his biting criticism of Idol contestants. "That's a good thing."
Hicks said that for his first musical theater role, he wanted a character who did not stray far from who he is as a person and performer. He plays the role of Teen Angel.
Like "American Idol," his musical theater experience has been intense, with eight performances a week, he said. What will he do after Grease? "Sleep," Hicks said.
He also advised students to take advantage of the resources they have at the school, which he said has not changed much since he attended.
Hicks drew laughter from students throughout the event and approval afterward. Some described him as laid-back, cool and real.
"It made me see that I can do something, that I can be succesful, too - that it's not only rich people and people from big cities," said Lizbeth Hita, a senior theater student.
Hicks has put out two CDs. His most recent, ''The Distance," came out this year.
http://blog.al.com/hoover/2009/09/taylor_h...oover_high.html
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Subject: Taylor Hicks tells Hoover High theater 
Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:23 pm
