Outstanding Senior Molly Gorelick
Molly Gorelick is funny and a true leader in the LIHSA community. You may know her by sight as one of the tallest students at LIHSA. And she is also an Outstanding Senior from Half Hollow Hills/Melville who is finishing her second year studying Production and Managerial Arts.
After discovering LIHSA through its Summer Arts Academy, Molly was excited to continue during the school year. Studying theater and production felt natural to her – she grew up with family members who were role-models and worked in the theater industry. For example, Molly’s late great-grandmother worked on Broadway and was the director of a playhouse in NYC. Molly reflects, “She had so many stories to tell.”
This year’s staff change in LIHSA’s Production and Managerial Arts department may have initially made Molly cautious entering her senior year, but she truly appreciates her new teacher, Mr. Vaiano. She shares, “He’s been a big supporter since he started. He’s helped me so much and I’ve learned so many new things about theater, concerts, and the whole production world from him.”
A favorite class project for Molly was making miniature models of fave shows. She made one of Victorious which also resembled how LIHSA is like to her. She’s also very proud of designing Urinetown, sharing “I got to design the whole show. I got to speak with the theater class about it, to discuss what they wanted to change. There’s a 3 foot by 4 foot model of the set that sits in my room.”
In addition to Urinetown, Molly has worked on all of LIHSA’s other shows that have been produced during her time as a student – Family Album, Big Fish, and Balloon Boy – as well as both Broadway Supports LIHSA events, Open Houses, and One+One Days. Spending time with the cast of Family Album is among her special memories at LIHSA, especially hearing their positive feedback about her set designs for the show.
Molly is grateful to have so many people who have been positive influences, among them are her parents. She also appreciates her elementary school art teacher saying, “She was an inspirational person who ran the meditation club. She taught us about primary colors. It wasn’t a big thing when I was little, but now I use that knowledge every day!”
Looking back on her time at LIHSA, Molly reflects, “I’ve grown in ways I never would have had if I didn’t come here. It showed me I’m more capable of doing more artsy things. I had never taken art at my home school. And doing more hands-on work really helped me. I never thought I’d know so much about theater before college and it’s really meaningful that I know so much before going out into the real world.”
After graduation, Molly plans to attend college to study lighting and scenic design and minor in education and journalism. In addition to the scenic design work that helped prepare her for college, she’s excited that she’s learned Photoshop and has editing and writing skills.
Molly will miss the people she’s met at LIHSA after she graduates. “When I walk into LIHSA, I’m so happy to see my friends, Jerry, and all the teachers.” She recommends that the LIHSA community shouldn’t take LIHSA for granted saying, “Every day there’s new opportunities and new chances. Take whatever chance you can!”
We will miss you here at LIHSA, Molly, but can’t wait to see how you will make your mark on the theater world in the future!
