Actor returns to Longview to direct play, workshops for schools

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - He graduated from Longview High School, went off to become a Broadway actor, and has returned to his roots to give back to the school system that encouraged him.

Dedrick Weathersby is visiting school districts between acting jobs to conduct fundraising workshops that encourage young actors. He founded Super Bad Acting Company and brings several of his troop with him for the six-week workshops, like the one being held at Ned E. Williams. The workshop culminates in a play Weathersby wrote called The New Teacher. When he started the workshops in 2019 there was a fee for them.

“I said what happens if we just turn it into a fundraiser? It’s going to be free to you all. I’m going to take the front end and then on the back end. Because basically the fundraiser is not only for the schools, but also for me to pay my staff. That’s it. This is literally a gift that I enjoy doing. It’s not begrudgingly, it’s a gift I enjoy at all the schools that don’t have the budget but want the programming,” Weathersby said.

That programming ends with the production of The New Teacher which will be put on Saturday at Ned E. Williams at 3 and 7 pm. It costs 25 dollars a ticket, half the money goes to Weathersby’s staff, and the other half to benefit Ned E Williams Elementary.

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