Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Student with blood disorder hits the big time
A blood disorder didn’t keep West Goshen 15-yearold Trent Clayton from recently acting and singing in a Broadway–style production in New York City.
Clayton was recently chosen from a nationwide pool of applicants with blood disorders to perform in “Hemophilia: The Musical.”
Although Clayton is impacted by blood disorder von Willebrand’s disease, he said he “feels like I can do everything that ev-
eryone else can — just to look around and be with all these people who get it.”
Clayton loves to hear applause.
“It’s pretty cool knowing that a lot of people like what we’re putting out there,” he said. “We got the message across pretty well and gave people a lot of knowledge about bleeding disorders and maybe when they get home they will do some research and look into it a little bit more.”
The three day event and hour long performance included six big musical numbers written especially for the production and a cast of 25.
“Everyone has a pretty big part,” Clayton said. “I was living my own life, but acting with a script.”
The experience focused on healing, connectivity and relationship building, Darla Clayton, Trent’s mother said.
Clayton learned how to better project his voice and how to breathe while on stage and take a fuller breath.
Clayton is a student at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts through Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School.
He hasn’t decided whether he’ll pursue a career in show business. Clayton enjoys photography and “being able to capture a feeling with an image.” He also loves nature and studying science.
Readers can watch the musical at: https:// www.facebook.com/ BloodStreamMedia/videos/879627072427162/.
The musical theater intensive and performance were produced by Believe Limited and exclusively sponsored by BioMarin.