Three times a year students see posters litter the school with a goal to promote the Theater shows. For the past four years it has been done by senior Ella Johnson. Known for her artistic ability, Johnson has been a large part of the Theater’s publicity crew.
“When I was a freshman, I wanted to join the theater, but I did not have the time to commit to a normal crew,” Johnson said. “I contacted [the director] Gonzales and asked what I could do, that’s when the publicity crew started.”
Johnson has done more than just being a crew head, though, she created the whole crew. Students interested in theater but have little time to commit can find a home in publicity crew like Johnson did. Within the crew they paint one large poster, based on her digital design.
“My favorite poster I have done has to be ‘Beauty and the Beast’, because of it being out of my comfort zone,” Johnson said. “But ‘Catch Me If You Can’ was great because it was the first time, we made a whole branding template based on my poster to use for social media.”
In the fall of her junior year Johnson tried a new part of theater. For the show “Witness for the Prosecution”, she auditioned to be part of the cast. Casted as the stenographer, she had the chance to try a new part of theater which she began to love.
“After some friends told me to, I chose to audition. Which was great because I got to be part of ‘Catch Me If You Can’,” Johnson said. “Then this past fall I was Sally in ‘Puffs’ and now I am playing as middle-aged queen Elizabeth in ‘The Audience’.”
Johnson’s artistic abilities carry over into her sports because she is also a synchronized and artistic swimmer. She has been a swimmer since she was seven years old and coaches young kids.
“My mom was a synchronized swimmer for Ohio State which inspired me to check out the sport,” Johnson said. “Now, I’ve been an intermediate head coach for the past two years.”
Johnson has had an impact on those around her as she shows kindness and respect Johnny Redman ‘25 is a close friend and co-star of Johnson; he has known her for over six years.
“When I think of someone among my peers that I admire, the first person that comes to mind is Ella Johnson,” Redman said. “She is the essence of what it means to be strong, yet empathetic, maintain a strong work ethic, yet still be a joy to spend time with, and step outside of what is expected of her, to lead others and herself to new heights.”
She has inspired her teachers with her worth ethic too. Jill Ceneskie, an English teacher who has had Johnson for two years, has seen her hard work. Ceneskie taught Johnson in AP Seminar where she scored a five.
“Ella is such a dedicated and passionate person in all of her pursuits,” Ceneskie said. “Her drive will get her far in whatever she does.”
Johnson is a Brave: balanced, resilient, has a positive attitude, strong values and empathy. Her hard work, leadership and artist ability set her apart from the Brave community.
