DALLAS — At 29, Eean Cochran has performed for countless sold out auditoriums, received many standing ovations and is not shy when it comes to sharing his talent as a triple-threat performer. However, singing and dancing in front of a small group of high school students at his alma mater makes him nervous.
As a professional actor and dancer Cochran has traveled with Broadway tours like "Dream Girls," "Bring It On," "Mama Mia!," and currently the North American tour of "Hamilton" as the show's dance captain.
Although he’s a seasoned performer he got butterflies while performing for a group of 20 students at Grapevine Faith Christian School in Grapevine, Texas. He visited his old stomping grounds while on a break from the tour to see his former theater teacher and friend Scott Werntz.
Students sat on the floor of the school's dance studio while he sang and danced.
Cochran said while he danced he remembered the hopes and dreams he had as a high school student. He wanted to give these students the same kind of performance they’d get as if they were sitting in the comfy seats of a proper theater, which made him anxious.
“Scott was a huge reason of why I fell in love with theater,” said Cochran as he spoke to the students after the song. “He showed me shows like "In The Heights," and introduced me to musical theater anthology, because I didn’t know much about musical theater. I actually hadn’t started dancing until we started musical work my seventh or eighth grade year.”
“Sitting in the corner of the studio watching like a proud parent, Werntz recorded Cochran on his phone with a big smile. “I’m just so proud of him,” said Werntz “Even after everything he’s accomplished it means so much he still comes to visit.”
Since the age of six, Cochran has always enjoyed dancing and tumbling, beginning with hip-hop, then moved to lyrical, contemporary, ballet, jazz and tap. He’s always considered himself an athlete and played football early in his high school career.
Although he loved being on stage, he originally planned on focusing on sports in high school and hadn’t given much thought to being a professional actor. However Werntz recognized what he says was Cochran’s “natural talent” when he performed in school plays. Cochran’s name could be found in programs for the school’s musical productions. A stand-out role Werntz remembers Cochran playing was Judah in the school’s production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
Werntz said Cochran was easy to direct and always wanted to be the best he could be.
“He could do the splits and touch his toes when he would dance, it was incredible.” he said.
Witnessing Cochran’s career has been an honor Werntz takes pride in as his former teacher. Cochran has visited over the years, trying to inspire students to follow their dreams is something Werntz is grateful for.
“He’s never changed. He’s always been one of the nicest, most humble people,” said Werntz. “He works hard, and always pays it back too. He always comes back and talks to the students at our school, always calls-me-up and keeps me informed on what’s going on in his life. It’s been a really neat and fun journey, and just a great friendship.”
Werntz’s students agree Cochran’s journey to achieving his dream is inspiring. One student who has that same dream of someday performing in a professional Broadway production is 11th grade theater student Tilly Hillje.
“Most people tell you dreams don’t pay the bills,” said Hillje “They say it’s such a hard career, you’re not going to get into it, but seeing someone who made it who’s from your school, it’s a reminder that it’s not impossible, it just takes hard work and dedication, and loving your job.”
Cochran said he’s happy to know Werntz is still fueling passion for a new generation of future actors like Hillje.
“I was enjoying theater before I wanted to do it as a career, but Scott was the person that made everything click for me, and told me that I actually could possibly have a future in this.” said Cochran.
He plans to keep making Werntz proud, and has bigger dreams for his future.
“Ten years from now I want to have created my own role,” said Cochran. “I don’t have a dream role because I want it to be built around me as a person. I want to help create a role, and create new art.”
After he performed for the group of students, Cochran invited the students to ask questions.
Hillje was the first to raise her hand.
“What would you say is the number one thing someone should know when entering the industry of musical theater,” she asked.
“Find those things that make you unique and make them really big and bold.” he responded.
Cochran’s answer made her smile, while Werntz got teary-eyed in the corner.
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