Page 39 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2018 - Online Magazine

that in just a few short years, David would be prepared
to be the youngest performer ever to play the role of the
Phantom in a professional production of “The Phantom
of the Opera”? At just 26 years of age, David stunned
the world with his ability to comprehend the pain and
darkness that surrounded the Phantom and to project,
both vocally and physically, this complex character.
How was he able to do this? The training provided
to him by Dr. John Gillas, former director of the Texas
Tech University Opera Ensemble, gave David skills
and confidence as a performer. But perhaps being the
youngest child and watching life through the eyes of
seven siblings and two wonderful parents gave David
the heart and willingness to consider painful situations
and work through them. Perhaps feeling the pain of
losing his mother to leukemia and breast cancer caused
David to realize the realities of life at an earlier age
than most. Whatever the case, David has spent a career
portraying what he imagines to be the thoughts and
feelings of those he brings to the stage. In so doing,
David allows us, the audience, to view the minds and
hearts of characters with a poignant story to tell. In the
end, we leave with more depth and understanding of
the human soul.

As David stepped onto the Broadway stage of “The
Phantom of the Opera”, he had already performed the
role more than 1,000 times in Europe. How exciting
for all of Lubbock to know that our “Hometown Boy”
was playing the pinnacle role in the pinnacle Broadway
show! Rare!! Although the years on the Broadway stage
increased his skills and exposure, David had a young
family to consider. Looking beyond his career to the
lives of his precious children, Andrew and Molly, David
and his lovely wife, Jeanne, made their way back to
Texas for the next stage of life.

Now, with continuing opportunities to perform, David
dedicates most of his time and energy to training young
performers. His siblings helped him learn, from an
early age, not to “think more highly of himself than he
ought”. He is a constant encourager and finds every
opportunity to make light of himself and let everyone
else on stage be the hero. This is a condition of the
heart that usually occurs later in life. Again, David is
an early bloomer. Giving away his skills, driving his
talents into the minds and hearts of others, drawing on
his determined faith in God, David continues to give
from the depth of his own life and heart. In recognition
of David’s amazing career, Texas Tech University has
named him one of three Distinguished Alumni for
2018—an honor bestowed on very few.