Earl Cunningham Hennis: Theatre Star Shines On and Off the Stage
Earl Cunningham Hennis is someone who makes everyday life exciting.
At Seventy-First High School, Earl jumped into student life, determined to make the most of his high school experience. A standout theatre student, Earl isn’t afraid of the limelight, and has used his confident nature to inspire others and generate energy wherever he goes.
“Earl is an exceptional example of a standout senior because he stands out in every way,” said Susannah Wagner, director of Theatre Arts at Seventy-First. “He is the shining light of our theatre program and leads with compassion and kindness. He leads by example, never being afraid to be himself in the face of banal normality.
“No matter what words get thrown at him he always shakes it off and says, ‘they just don't understand the vision,’ and he's right! For the students who may be afraid to be individuals, he gives them the confidence and support they need.”
Earl’s attitude and joy for school are infectious, and he is unafraid to celebrate the things that make being a student in Cumberland County Schools (CCS) fun. He shows out for every spirit week, helps with every event, and is an engaged participant in the school community. He was voted the 2025 Homecoming King by his peers.
“My favorite extracurricular -- without a doubt-- would be Theatre Club,” said Earl. “Calling Theatre [Club] an ‘extracurricular activity’ feels like it shouldn't be in the same sentence. The way I'm so invested into Theatre [Club] you'd think my name was Earl Shakespeare. Theatre Club doesn't even feel like a club-- rather, a job. A job that I never want to clock out of.”
Earl regularly volunteers to advocate for the school’s arts programs any way possible. From freshman orientation to a simple table on back-to-school night, he is always ready to help.
“His passion for the arts is inspiring to others and generates energy throughout the school everywhere he goes,” said Wagner. “He truly embodies the sentiment that it's cool to care, it's important to be involved and that community starts with us.”
Earl is successful on and off the stage, working various jobs and juggling rehearsal to help support his family. His hard work has paid off in theatre. He was presented the Excellence in Acting Award at this year's 2025 North Carolina Theatre Conference for his performance as Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow. Students in the competition go against other theatre programs from all over North Carolina, including private schools.
“An accomplishment I am most proud to achieve is my Excellence in Acting Award," said Earl. “It took me several months of refining, commitment and discipline to get this award.”
His commitment to working for the team is evidenced in the school’s Excellence in Ensemble Work Award from the same competition where he was able to help guide blocking and energy. Earl also has been a part of CCS Theatre Fest at E.E. Smith High School and performed in the school’s elementary outreach program where they take shows to other schools to spread the joy for the arts. He recently attended the North Carolina Theatre Conference’s college fair and auditioned for several schools, securing a $5,000 per year scholarship to Lee's McRae College for acting.
He has performed in multiple productions at Seventy First High, with main roles in Rock of Ages (2024), Sweet Charity (2025) and the titular role in Beetlejuice Jr. (2026).
After high school, Earl plans to enlist in the Air Force while also going to college. “What inspired me to think of this path is my lifestyle,” said Earl. “I believe everyone could use a little refinement. This will help me when I'm going to college for theatre. Also, the military will help me with the tuition cost alongside the tuition assistance by the college.”
As Earl looks to the future, he is thankful for his time at Seventy-First High School.
“I think being in Cumberland County Schools, Seventy-First High School of the Arts, has prepared me for the best future I could get,” said Earl. “I got classes that I enjoyed accompanied by teachers that made it worth staying 90 minutes in a hard, uncomfortable chair. From my Theatre and Visual Art classes, all the way to Child Development and Accounting.
“My high school experience has really shaped me in a way people don't talk about enough, or, don't take advantage of. High school has made me feel like a drifter in a boat following the beacon of light shining from the lighthouse.”
For anyone who has ever met Earl, there is one thing they know for certain: he will continue to find the light and keep it shining.