Dream Spa Medical Featured Artist of April: Cece Underwood

Years before there was assigned scripts or packed rehearsal schedules, Colvin “Cece” Underwood was performing. As a toddler, she could often be found in costume, putting on little shows for her family, fully immersed in characters she created herself.  

 

“My husband is a musician and he loves the stage, so I think there’s a little genetic thing there,” Cece’s mom Nicole said. “Some kids love rehearsing but get stressed for the actual performance. Not Cece, she really loves being on stage.”  

 

Now a fifth grader at Pine Hill Elementary, Cece has been acting since kindergarten and has built quite an impressive résumé for her age.   “When I’m in character, it feels like I’m a whole different person,” Cece said. “It’s like an escape from reality.”  

 

 Cece’s first production was Hercules through the Westwood Recreation Department’s summer musical theater program, which Nicole signed her up for in hopes that she would make new friends prior to starting school. Not only did she make friends, but Cece has continued to be a part of the summer program every year since and has expanded into doing shows with Riverside Theater Company and Walpole Children’s Theatre. Over the past five years, Cece has taken on a wide range of roles, but she’s especially drawn to characters with strong personalities. Her favorite role to date is Gloria Swansong from Pine Hill Elementary’s The Show Must Go On.  

 

“She was a very big role,” Cece said. “She was very dramatic, and it’s always really fun to act the dramatic characters.” She also loved playing the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz because, “Playing evil characters is so much more fun!”  

 

This month, Cece is stepping into one of her biggest roles yet: Dorothy in Pine Hill Elementary’s upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz directed by Robert Brennan, with performances on March 27 at 6pm and March 28 at 2pm. She also recently appeared as a unicorn in the Walpole Children’s Theatre’s production of King Midas and the Touch of Gold.  

 

As show dates approach, Cece’s schedule becomes busier, much like that of a competitive athlete. Cece is honest about the challenges that come with that level of dedication.  

 

“My least favorite thing about theater is how much commitment it takes,” Cece said. “And the dancing. I like acting and singing more.”  

 

Theater, however, is just one part of Cece (and her family’s) creative side. She also loves to draw, often illustrating her own original characters, as well as landscapes or the night sky. Music is another outlet, as Cece plays bass and sings vocals in her all-girl rock band, through local music school The JamZone, that rehearses weekly. Cece’s dad also plays bass in Boston punk band, The Unseen, and will open for one of the Dropkick Murphys’ St. Patrick Day shows. Cece’s younger sister, Vivien, has explored theater as well, though her main passion is cheer.  

 

Looking ahead, Cece’s dreams are big. She hopes to be an actress, a fashion designer, a singer, or a writer, but definitely something in the creative space. For now, she’s exactly where she belongs: on stage doing what she loves.  

 

Congratulations Cece for being our March Featured Artist! If you’d like to nominate an artist of any sort to be featured – music, acting, painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. – please email dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com