Outstanding Senior Carlee Dickson
The oldest of five children, Carlee Dickson is a creative, nurturing, and fun Outstanding Senior from Dix Hills (Half Hollow Hills School District) studying Musical Theater at LIHSA.
Faculty member Chris Brick not only teaches at LIHSA, but has taught Carlee since she was in 6th grade. When she learned about LIHSA from him, she thought “it would be a great way to do more theater and get experience at a place where people really know and care about it.”
Immediately after starting at LIHSA, Carlee immersed in the theater world, taking Theater History from Chris Brick. The class teaches units like “Golden Age of Theater” and about composers and at the end of the unit, the students perform a related song or monologue. Carlee recalls, “It was so fun! It was essentially a college lecture – not a high school class. It was amazing. In my first month taking the class I knew this is where I was supposed to end up.” She went on to say that the class helped her build her repertoire. “Everything I performed for my college auditions came from that rep book and class. If I didn’t have that class, I’d be so lost. It taught me how to get up and audition in front of people too. I used to be terrified performing in front of people. But now I’m prepared!” She specifically cites Chris Brick in helping prepare the students and pushing them to find their limits.
Since arriving at LIHSA, Carlee has been involved in many extracurricular activities including Tri-M Honor Society, dance productions, Family Album, Balloon Boy, Big Fish, Jane Eyre at Lincoln Center, and will perform in the upcoming senior showcase and springfest for Dance.
One of Carlee’s favorite memories from her time at LIHSA was performing the song “Album 4” at the end of the show Family Album last year. Carlee shared, “The song is about how music brings people together for a bond that lasts forever. It was powerful being on the stage and singing that song about these friendships and knowing it’s the only time we’d be like that, in that space together. I love everyone here and realized I finally found a community that was meant for me.”
Carlee’s advice for younger LIHSA students is, “Let go and don’t compare yourself. Things may feel crazy at first and you may question why you are here and if you belong. You do belong. Everyone who comes here will find their place.”
In the future, Carlee is planning to go to college to study theater with plans to not only act in the future, but to write and direct as well. She’s excited to continue to creatively tell stories through those means. She feels LIHSA has helped set her up for success by giving her skills and experiences in multiple aspects of theater including stage management, directing, and producing. At a recent talkback the cast of Lincoln Center’s Jane Eyre gave with the students who were in the production’s choir, she heard Ramin Karimloo emphasize that productions are in service to the art. She agrees with that perspective that she’s excited to continue to create pieces for the art form, not to be a star.
Carlee, we can’t wait to see what you create in the future!
