Attleboro Whiz Kid: Jake Humphrey Brings More Than Talent to the Stage

Name: Jake Humphrey
Age: 18
School: Entering Freshman, Emerson College

Recent graduate Jake Humphrey is not afraid of the spotlight. 

Humphrey, 18, has been on stage performing with the since 1996.

He has performed ensemble roles and led roles including Horton the Elephant in "Seussical," Albert in "Bye Bye Birdie" and Javert in "Les Miserables."

Choosing which role has been most exciting, is a challenge to Humphrey.

"The character of Javert is one of the greatest characters of theatrical and literary history," he said. "Plus we spent so much time crafting it and getting it perfect, and I got to work with an amazing cast who worked really well together. Les Miserables was probably the best performance I’ve been in, possibly the best Triboro Youth Theatre has done."

His performances and participation in the Triboro Youth Theatre have not gone unnoticed. In fact, Humphrey will receive an award in August for participating in 50 shows. 

The high school grad has talent, but he also is civic minded. Along with performing on stage, Humphrey works and volunteers for the Triboro Youth Theatre in many capacities. He is the group's media/graphic specialist, videographer and camp counselor.

His passion for theater doesn't end there. Humphey helped the Triboro Youth Theatre win the $20,000 Chase Community Giving grant by orchestrating the campaign to get the most votes possible, according to his mother, Vivan Humphrey, who is the theater's artistic director.

The younger Humphrey will be attending Emerson College in Boston this fall to study film.

"I’m majoring in film and television at Emerson, and though I’m not 100 percent certain what I will do, I hope to play a large creative role in the creation of either films or TV shows in the near future," Humphrey said. 

"Many children don't want to be anywhere near their parents," Vivian Humphrey said. "I got really lucky!"

Got a Whiz Kid in your family? E-mail nominations to Patricia.Resende@patch.com.