Superwoman, Xena, Dark Angel, and China better watch out because they?re about to get thrown to the ground by Sacramento State?s very own Danielle Thrower. No, she?s not a wrestler, a boxer or a karate champion. She?s a power-packed singer, actress, hip-hop dancer, and the reigning Miss Black Sacramento.

With a passion for theater arts, Thrower is heavily involved in the Theatre and Dance Deparment. Her dream of becoming a distinguished actress is in forward motion and nothing can hold her down.

Even as a full-time student, Thrower still manages to find time to rehearse for numerous productions, sing in the CSUS Gospel Choir and teach middle school children how to dance.

“I?m horrible with balancing my time. I always have too much to do,” Thrower said.On the contrary, being fully occupied is what Thrower believes has made her strong.”I like to be involved, but sometimes it gets me into trouble,” she said. “But I just go day by day.”

When preparing for the Miss Black Sacramento Pageant, she had to practice every Saturday for three months. During that time, she was taught the etiquettes of how to sit, stand, walk and turn with poise and confidence.

For the talent portion of the pageant, Thrower sang “Through the Storm” by one of her favorite gospel singers, Yolanda Adams.

She also has an interest in artists such as Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Outkast, Bryan McKnight, Jagged Edge and Joe. Her acting interests include Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts.

With total support from her parents, Thrower began to develop a feel for the theater when she was just a toddler.

“My mother taught me everything I know about singing. She said that she would pray to the Lord that I would be able to sing,” Thrower said. “She took me under her wings.”During her senior year at Valley High, Thrower participated in school plays, which provided her with a good theater learning experience. Her stage skills evolved and eventually landed her a leading role in the Sac State play “Spunk.” She played the role of three different women, with whom she found herself relating to in some way.Another play presented by the Theatre and Dance Department, “The America Play,” resulted in a nomination for the Irene Ryan Competition Award.

She was also part of a Martin Luther King, Jr. project, titled “The Gospel at Colonus,” in which she was an understudy and performed ad-lib parts.

One of the disadvantages of her busy schedule is the lack of close friendships.

“My other friends are not really as artsy as me,” she said. But at least she has one friend who has been sharing the theater and church life with her, Tedaryl Chapman. Because of their equally busy schedules, they have managed to share their experiences with each other. Chapman also admires Thrower?s theatrical diversity and “rare talent.”

“I think she?s an extraodinary person,” Chapman said. “In my opinion, she?s a triple threat: She acts, sings and dances. For somebody to combine all three is special and precious.”

As far as the theater and dance program at Sac State goes, Thrower wishes that there were more “racially mixed” plays.

“I was kinda disappointed because of that. There?s not too many African Americans in the plays,” she said. “We are very good for some of the parts and I think we?re doing pretty good things.”

The theater life has a competitive edge, but that hasn?t stopped Thrower.”I like to have competition,” she said. “It makes me feel better and it makes me work harder.”

Thrower?s constant strive has been strong, and her plans for the future include attending UCLA or USC, where she hopes to earn a master?s degree in theater. She has also decided that instead of taking a break for the summer, she will attend an acting class at Fresno State.

During her journey, she wants to get her resume done and send out tapes of her theater skills. Eventually, she would like to teach theater at the high school or college level. Thrower just recently appeared in “All Night Strut,” a play at the Celebration of Arts, located on 45th and D Street. She performed three nights in a row, with her last performance on Sunday, April 29.

Thrower?s passion for theater has overcome the tireless hours of rehearsal, school and teaching. Her advice for following your dreams is to always work hard and be true to what you do.

“Theater is hard work. It?s a craft that you really have to work at,” she said. “Let it be something you love.”