Aidan Janssen, Reporter & Designer
Sophomores Maddi and Sedona Deck are local superstars in the theater scene. Many people know them for their performances in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical hosted by the high school.
The Decks have been involved in theater since age eight, but it wasn’t until fifth grade that they performed in their first musical, “Guys and Dolls.” Last year, Sedona was given the lead role for the high school’s production of “Sister Act,” a notable achievement as no other freshman has ever starred in a musical at the high school. Every year, the twins attend a two-week summer program called Admiral Theater Camp (ATC), where they first started learning about and performing musical theater.
“It is so much fun, and I look forward to it each summer,” Sedona said.
In addition to performing in a variety of events throughout the Seattle area, the Decks have won several awards. Last year, they placed first in the “Best Vocals” category at the ATC talent competition, and received an award for performing at the Washington State Fair.
In 2017, the twins participated in the first annual Voice of Vashon contest. They competed against each other in the final round, and Sedona won the grand prize — a trophy and two hours of recording time on the air — which she shared with Maddi.
For Sedona, the success she has experienced in musical theater opens up the possibility for her to pursue it professionally.
“It is what I’m planning to do as a career,” she said.
However, the twins were quick to point out that musical theater isn’t for everyone. Excellence, as in most pursuits, requires strong dedication and persistence.
“The hardest part about it is the rehearsing and the commuting (from Southworth),” Maddi said. “It takes up so much time, plus school and homework, [so] we just get really worn out.”
But, according to Sedona, the work is more than worth it.
“Musical theater can be the best thing you can experience in your lifetime,” she said, “[It] has affected my life greatly.”