Brown receives full theater scholarship to SAU
GRAVETTE — Grayson Brown, a 2018 graduate of Gravette High School, signed Friday, April 27, to participate in theater at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Grayson has received the SAU theater scholarship to cover full tuition for four years. He will major in musical theater.
Grayson, the son of Heather Finley of Gravette, was introduced by Ian Galloway, his drama instructor at Gravette High School. Galloway recounted how Grayson appeared in his first performance, a presentation of “High School Musical,” in the spring of his sophomore year. He was an instant hit and went on to develop his talent and play leading roles in “Empowered,” “Stinky Cheese Man,” “The Little Mermaid Jr.” and “Fools.” Galloway said Grayson was particularly gifted at making dramatic entrances, literally often stopping the show, especially when performing before middle school audiences.
“I am very happy that Gravette High School was the platform from which Grayson was able to develop his God-given talent and find a way to pay for his college education,” said Galloway.
Grayson will visit New York City in June, attending Broadway musicals, and will attend orientation at Southern Arkansas University in July. He will begin classes in August.
The theater and musical theater program at SAU offers a rigorous course of study with options in a variety of theater topics, preparing the student for careers in performance, design, management or advanced graduate studies. Graduates will receive a bachelor of fine arts degree upon completion of the program.
Grayson was accompanied onstage at the signing by his mother, Heather Finley, and his sister, Grace Finley. Heather spoke briefly, thanking all those who had helped Grayson progress during his time at Gravette High School, “even including the lunch ladies who gave him double portions at meals.” She has commented, “I pray that this next chapter in Grayson’s life brings glory to God, Gravette and musical theater. He looks forward to the day that he is on Broadway proudly hailing from Gravette, Arkansas.”
Following the signing, refreshments were served to many friends and fellow classmates who came to congratulate Grayson on his scholarship. Refreshments and table decorations were in blue and yellow, the colors of ASU’s mascot, the Muleriders. A message board nearby displayed several photo highlights of Grayson’s theater career at GHS.