Meet Leo
Starting from the age of 6, I spent most of my week in the studio training in everything from jazz and ballet to hip-hop. There was always something so rewarding about the performance night, seeing months of hard work come together under the theater lights with my friends by my side. But looking back, the best part of dance was how close it brought me to my older sister. We were a team. We’d stretch together in class, practice our routines in the living room at home, and she’d always help me out when I struggled with a new move.
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Even though I’ve had to stop dancing for now, the desire to get back to it never goes away. My health has been incredibly poor lately due to a few different things, but as I start to recover, I really hope to find my way back to the studio. My dream has always been to be a ballerina in “The Nutcracker”. It’s something I’ve wanted since I was a little kid, and it’s still the goal I’m holding onto for when I’m better.
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After my dance era, I moved into plays and musicals. It was such a great way to express myself and finally get to sing. I took a lot of classes at our local theater, and acting is actually how I got close to my other sister. She was and always will be my biggest inspiration. She was so dedicated to the craft. We did a couple of plays together, and just watching her work was amazing. She knew every single person at the theater, and they all knew her. She was truly the kindest person and left such a huge impact on that community. While she fell in love with the tech side, pointing out every mechanic and detail of a show, I stayed in love with acting.
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My first big production was The Jungle Book, where I played Baloo. I still remember staying late after school, heading to the gym, and working hard on the play while hanging out with all my friends. That first show was such an eye opening experience for me. Once I stepped onto that stage, I realized I could truly express myself in a giant way; and for once, it felt completely appropriate. After the final bow, my sister ran up to me, and you can see how proud she was.
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Another memory that stays with me is performing in The Nutcracker alongside my sister. I was cast as the Godfather, my first truly big role. That production was also where I met my favorite director, Judge Luckey, someone I’ve been lucky enough to keep working with ever since. Those rehearsals were intense, stretching late into the cold winter nights. We’d be huddled in the wings, balancing our homework in between our scenes.
By the time Christmas rolled around, we were doing about twenty performances, and the house was packed almost every single night. Looking out from that massive stage at a full audience was incredible. Since I had never worked with a professional set or props before, everything felt brand new and so exciting. Between the gorgeous scenery and the energy of the crowd, the whole experience felt almost magical.
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For three years, I spent my summers at Hope Musical Theatre Camp, a place that really put my abilities to the test. The challenge was intense - we had to put on an entire musical in just four days. It was always chaotic and fun, but in the end we managed to pull off an amazing show every single time. That camp was the perfect place to push my vocal limits. I was cast in a singing role every year, and working closely with the director really transformed my voice. She taught me how to properly control my range, giving me the technique and confidence to hit long, high, and incredibly challenging notes. I grew really close with the director there, and the experience was such a great balance of fun and hard work that I eventually hope to go back as a counselor.
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I could say so much more about theater - every performance tells its own story - but my deepest connection to the stage will always be the community. Performing brought me closer to my sisters, helped me build lifelong friendships, and gave me a true sense of belonging. Even though the sister I hoped to keep acting alongside has passed away, I carry her with me every time I step onto the stage. She was my first inspiration, and she will always be the reason I am able to continue my journey in theater.
