Recent Westwood Grad is Passionate About the Arts

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Justin Boes, recent graduate of

Accomplishment: This Westwood resident recently won first place in the North Jersey Students Craftsman Fair for a video he produced about improvements in science in the district. He was also selected in November 2010 as the first student red carpet reporter for the opening night of "Lombardi" on Broadway by MSG Varsity. Justin was accompanied by a film crew and stood side by side with other news shows as they interviewed various celebrities and VIPs.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Justin is passionate about the arts, especially musical theater. He participated in the theater program at Westwood Jr./Sr. High School from junior high until his senior year. Since 2006, Justin has participated in French Woods, a performing arts camp in the Catskills. The camp allows participants to put together a production in two and a half weeks. Justin was also selected for the past two summers as part of the Cabaret Troupe for the camp, which travels to different resorts to perform. In addition to his theater interests, he was also on the JV and varsity tennis teams at Westwood High School.

Q&A with Justin:

1. You're very involved in the arts, including musical theater. What got you interested in performing, writing and directing? Do you prefer performing or doing behind the scenes work? Why?
   Instinctual. At 4 I would perform for the neighbors as they arrived home from work. I had a lovely audience. Gradually, the love for it cultivated and I started performing and adoring theater seriously in Jr. High School. I discovered film my freshman year and I’ve been enthralled ever since. I don’t particularly have preference for anything specifically; it depends on the piece and my interpretation of the material. Each medium is diverse and specific, but they all intertwine to create great commentary.
   
   
2. In addition to live performances, you have been involved in the creation of video pieces, including the one that you got first place from the North Jersey Students Craftsman Fair. When did you first start producing video and how does it feel to be recognized for your work?
   I was introduced to film through a good friend of mine my freshman year. I started watching Stanley Kubrick films, though I didn’t quite understand them at the time. I just found the medium interesting, mostly because it’s dead entertainment, images preserved in time as opposed to theater which is desperately attempting to live and thrive. We started experimenting with film ideas and such and this eventually led to producing our own shorts, though they are incredibly embarrassing. I taught myself how to make films. I rarely watch the things I create after they’re done, but it’s comforting to know that others enjoy them.
   
   
3. Tell me about the French Woods camp in the Catskills and your experience as part of the Cabaret Troupe.
   The experience radically changed my perspective and work ethic, the process of putting together a full scale production with, quite literally, two weeks rehearsal time, is remarkable. I did several shows up there, and those intensive, wonderful and horrific rehearsals allowed me to endure my weaknesses and try to reform myself every year. Cabaret Troupe is a selective grouping that performs across the Catskills at various places for various audiences. It’s an authentic experience and it’s an uncomfortable but unique way of, in a minimal sense, touring with a show.
   
   
4. You also play tennis. How long have you been doing that and how did you get involved? What do you like best about the sport?
   I’ve been playing tennis for about five years, but only seriously for three. My grandfather adores tennis and he attempted to teach me, though grew irritated with frustration. Tennis is, more then anything, a mental sport. I enjoy being immersed in the game and it’s very specific and based solely off the individual, not the team, which I find to be rewarding and dreadful. Pressure is exhilarating which then enhances reality.
   
   
5. What do you want to do now after high school?
   Ambivalence can be wonderfully frightening. I don’t have any specific career goals. I enjoy my artistic endeavors. I hope to continue them in a lucrative environment rather than my own enjoyment, so I plan to, hopefully, find some sense of happiness (or opulence) in doing so.