Meet Caroline Adams, a talented singer and actress who, at 16, has used her extraordinary theater abilities to raise money for worthwhile charities and to benefit local organizations dedicated to helping teenagers. Caroline, a junior at John Burroughs School and congregant of Shaare Emeth, began channeling her passion for performing arts into volunteer fundraising when she was only 8.

“I always loved music as a kid, and I first started to do drama after first grade,” Caroline said.  “My first show was ‘Tom Sawyer,’ where I was a  townsperson.”

That same year, Caroline was recruited to perform with the Arch City Theater Troupe (ACTT).  ACTT is composed of 40 kids, ages 8-18, from more than 20 St. Louis area schools who direct, organize, choreograph, produce and perform an annual musical revue without any assistance from adults to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Caroline has been with ACTT since its inception in 2005. To date, ACTT has raised over $177,000 for JDRF.

“It’s been rewarding to be able to raise so much money for JDRF and raise awareness while having so much fun performing for a great cause,” Caroline said.

As a featured soloist in the summer 2013 show, “The Bright Side of Life,” Caroline dazzled more than 1,000 audience members with her myriad of talents. She has also emerged as a business leader within the ACTT organization. In last year’s performance, Caroline oversaw publicity and costuming for the show.

Madeline Mauzy, the director for ACTT, praised Caroline’s deep commitment to the charity. She emphasized Caroline’s creativity and motivating presence within the troupe during the past nine years.

“Caroline has been an absolute gift to the ACTT community since its beginning,” Mauzy said. “Her talent and dedication inspire the cast and crew. We are so proud of Caroline and her outstanding accomplishments.” 

Not surprisingly, Caroline’s incredible flair for musical theater led her to expand her performing arts repertoire to include dramatic acting. Caroline recently starred as Jessie in the John Burroughs production of “’night, Mother,” a powerful play about depression and suicide.

“The play raises questions about issues that not many people talk about,” Caroline said. “One of the main themes in the show is shame surrounding Jessie’s depression. By doing the show, it becomes a way for people to start conversations about mental health and help remove that stigma.” 

In working closely with Caroline to produce “‘night, Mother,” John Pierson, English and Theater teacher and director of “’night, Mother”at John Burroughs, expressed his admiration for the maturity and ability exhibited by Caroline. Pierson began working with Caroline when she was only a seventh grade student performing in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” He highlighted the individuality and depth she brings to every performance. 

“Caroline is a sponge,” Pierson said. “By this I mean there is never a note I give, nor a moment of discovery during rehearsal, that she doesn’t absorb. She is my favorite sort of actor to work with in that she also comes to the part with very clear ideas of her own. She is wise beyond her years in her ability to take direction while also advocating for her own creative ideas.”

As a tireless supporter of community service, Caroline passionately shares her amazing singing, dancing, and acting talents with children having limited access and resources to cultivate their skills in the performing arts. Now in her second year as a volunteer educator, Caroline serves as a teaching assistant for the drama class at Aim High, a tuition-free educational program devoted to local middle school students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“The main priority of Aim High is to help kids achieve and provide fun learning opportunities to help prepare them for the future,” Caroline said. “The kids work so hard, the plays are hilarious, and the students perform in a talent show which is my favorite day of Aim High.” 

Kevin McKone, a math teacher and director of the Aim High program for Burroughs, emphasized Caroline’s integral role in the success of the Aim High program. He marveled at Caroline’s close connection to the students and her key role in supporting this volunteer endeavor.

“Caroline has been a valuable member of the Aim High staff with her enthusiastic approach towards learning and life. The students of this program gravitate towards her because they recognize her sincere interest in them and their future success,” McKone said.

As Caroline looks forward to the next phase of her life, she envisions theater continuing to play a vital role. Her natural gifts and impressive ability to entertain others while supporting charitable causes ignite her passion.

“I really hope to pursue theater in college,” she said. “I absolutely love theater and want to do anything I can to make other people enjoy it as well. One of the best ways to do that is to perform in a way that entertains and benefits others.” 

So where can you next catch Caroline’s virtuosic theater talents? 

She will be performing in “The Dance Concert” held at John Burroughs on Jan. 24-25.