Outstanding Senior: Kayla Mancuso
Outstanding senior Kayla Mancuso from Hicksville is an outgoing, friendly, and caring student who first learned about LIHSA when she was in eighth grade. She was thrilled to get district approval to attend and study Musical Theater at LIHSA for her junior and senior year. Here’s more about Kayla.
When Kayla started LIHSA, her goal was to see if musical theater was something she would want to pursue as a career. She reflects, “I wanted to find out if it is my calling and passion or just something I enjoy. But attending LIHSA has made me a more compassionate and understanding person. We all have had different opportunities at our home schools, but here we’ve had the opportunity to grow together. That’s made me a better person and better performer.”
Reflecting on her time, Kayla is grateful for LIHSA. “I want to put all my memories in a jar and not forget anything. It’s just been remarkable,” she shares. “We also really developed skills for the future. We were taught professionalism and our teachers didn’t baby us. We had real world experiences – like auditions for Broadway Supports LIHSA on the second day of school. Everything we did made us more well rounded, like our theater history, film and TV, dance, and production classes are just some of the amazing classes I’ve had the privilege of taking..”
Among Kayla’s favorite projects was being part of the production of Big Fish. She shared, “It was really fun. I played the witch. It was a big, belty role and I had this crazy wig on. Since we were all second years, we knew each other well and got into a groove on how we felt and how we worked together. We bounced off one another. It was one of my favorite shows I’ve been a part of.” Kayla also loved the master classes offered, including learning choreography by talented choreographers.
Reflecting on the faculty at LIHSA, Kayla loved learning from everyone. She shared, “All of the faculty have taught me something. I’ve known Chris {Brick} the longest since I did the summer program before my junior year and was in Shrek. He’s an example of someone who did professional work and could also be an educator and a choreographer. I learned it’s not just a linear path and that if you are able to obtain all this knowledge, why not share it with other people.”
Artistic Influences for Kayla include Broadway star Bernadette Peters, composer Stephen Sondheim, and musicians Carole King, Lizzy McAlpine, and Billy Joel. She saw Billy Joel in concert with her dad and especially loves the recent documentary created about his life. “It showed he wrote songs about what was happening in his life. My creative inspirations are working with other people and observing everything around me too. I’m also interested in not only performance, but also directing and film. I’m interested in everything!”
For the LIHSA students who are younger or just starting out, Kayla recommends, “Take every opportunity that you can!”
Kayla’s plans for after are to attend: James Madison University and double major in social work and theater. She shares, “My dream is to be a school social worker and become the school’s theater director. Doing both fills my heart and cup.”
Thank you, Kayla, for filling our hearts these last two years. We can’t wait to see how you soar! Keep scrolling for photos of Kayla.
