Football player by day, actor by night; senior Grant Bradley is a jack of all trades.

In years past, Bradley has been known as an athlete, but not the one to be taking center stage in the auditorium. But according to Bradley, this isn’t exactly something new for him.

“I’ve always messed around with made up characters and made up situations with myself into the mirror in my bedroom,” Bradley said. “But really… everyone acts every day. Sometimes people act funny and sometimes people act serious.”

According to Bradley, each of those broad behaviors can be broken down entirely into tiny little behavior traits.

“For example, someone can be funny in many different ways; they can be ironic, satirical, obvious, giddy, crude, or not knowing they are funny at all,” Bradley said “I believe that if I see someone act a certain way or make up a character trait for a fictional character… I can physically portray their personality traits through emotions.”

Bradley sees acting as a form of expression.

“I can express physically better than I can verbally. That is why I am an actor, while other people are writers,” Bradley said. “I guess I just pay attention to the way everyone, including myself, acts.”

Bradley realized that with college around the corner, he needed to start to take himself up on his actions.

“I didn’t really think about making a career out of it until I actually took it seriously. I found out that the more serious I took it… the better I was at it,” Bradley said.

Bradley tried out for this year’s spring production of “Oliver Twist” mostly for the experience.

“I love Mrs. Motley and I’m so glad she was so open to the idea of letting a “tough football player jock,” express himself in theater.”

Bradley got the part of Bill Sikes, a man with anger-management issues, in the play.

“I was excited that I would get the chance show my family that I’m very serious about my skills as an actor,” Bradley said. “After all, they are paying for my college… they need to know that their money will be put to good use.”

Bradley will be attending Columbia College of Chicago next year, majoring in theatre and minoring in psychology.

“I hope to be successful in my acting career. But I really believe that I can provide a greater service to this world than to limit myself as just being an actor,” Bradley said. ”I really just want to help people. I hope that this acting career provides me with some recognition.”