Daphne Cockerham takes a photo with two spectators at the end of one of the screenings of ‘Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo provided)
PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg High School sophomore Daphne Cockerham feels closer to her community performing with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.
“For me, community theater is a group of local community members who put on a show not for gratification, but for the love of theater and the arts themselves. It seems more united and more supportive than what I think pay theater is,” she says. “It brings the community closer to ordinary people.”
To help her perfect her craft, Daphne also took ballet and pointe lessons at the Marietta Dance Academy and voice lessons with Ms. Meaghan Hahn.
“Dancing is a tradition in my family” she says. “My grandmother learned and taught ballet and my mother did the same.”
Daphne has been dancing for 13 years.
Daphne Cockerham, right, and Allison Burner Lauderman, left, after “Cinderella by Roger and Hammerstein. (Photo provided)
“Ballet and pointe take so much work and practice, but it’s worth seeing your art on stage,” she says.
Daphne would like to continue her theatrical performances after graduation, such as in college or even community theater as an adult.
Daphne has a 4.0 GPA and loves learning history and English.
“Learning history has always been very interesting to me and writing and the arts of the English language come very fluently to me,” she says. “I get lost in my writing.”
She is majoring in Biology, Algebra II, English, and American History to push herself and learn as much as she can. She also participates in several extracurricular activities at PHS, including the PHS Speech and Debate Team, Drama Club, Key Club, and STARS Club.
Daphne Cockerham, right, and Mollie Smith, left, attend an audition for ‘The Sound of Music’, at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo provided)
After high school, Daphne would like to attend Georgetown University, her dream school, but also wants to go to Ohio State or the University of Maryland.
“Georgetown University is special because it has a phenomenal law program and I took an online summer course on how to think like a lawyer,” she says. “The program at Georgetown really fueled my love for the field of law.”
Daphne became interested in the practice of law after reading a book on forensics and law in 5th grade.
“I think law would be a good field for me because I get very passionate when I talk and discuss,” she says.
She wants to specialize in English because of her passion for writing. She also thinks it will be useful for her future career as a lawyer.
Daphne Cockerham, left, stands with her mother, Cassie, after a dance recital at the Marietta Dance Academy. (Photo provided)
As a member of volunteer clubs, Daphne works on small service projects in the area. Last year at the Key Club, she helped write letters to teachers and students, hosted spaghetti dinners and food drives, and raised money for UNICEF’s Truck-or-Treat. At the STARS Club, she helped wrap gifts and stuff backpacks for those in need at the Latrobe Street Mission and made appreciation bags for teachers. She also volunteered with the Wood County Society telethon and served as a counselor at Camp Echo, a camp for adults with disabilities.
“It makes me feel fulfilled when I volunteer,” she says. “I volunteer to try to help my community. I want to try to make the world and my community a better place.
In her spare time, Daphne enjoys spending time with her family, watching television, listening to music and performing. You can see Daphne as a nun in the Parkersburg Actors Guild production of “The sound of music.”
Shows are at the Actors Guild of Parkesburg on November 18, 19, 25, 26, 27 and December 1 at 8 p.m., November 20 and December 4 at 2:30 p.m. and December 3 at 3 p.m.
“I’m so proud to be part of this amazing cast,” she says.
Daphne Cockerham attends a costume fitting for ‘Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo provided)
