Out of her comfort zone: Theater brings out the best in senior Lana Wooley
Heard of senior Lana Wooley? Perhaps as an astute journalist or a pet lover or even the administrator of a fan page. Wooley has many talents, but her most notable gift is her acting ability and her love for the stage.
\tWooley had a particular interest in musicals at a young age. She loved watching movies, but never knew she had an interest in acting until middle school. “I first truly realized I was interested when I was cast in The Sound of Music in seventh grade, but I believe I was intrigued long before then,” said Wooley. “I had loved being in the little elementary school musicals and I watched musical movies all the time at home. I had the love long before I realized it for sure, and then my passion for it only became stronger when I actually started performing in them.”
\tWooley’s love for theater started small, but has turned into something that she wants to continue for the rest of her career. Being in multiple productions has shown Wooley that she is interested in pursuing a career in film production. “When I was in middle school, I was really sure that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher,” she said. “I remember my parents saying that I had to be open-minded to the fact that career plans change, but I was so certain. I joined AFA (Advanced Fine Arts) in seventh grade and that was what changed my whole perspective on what I wanted to do with my life. I love being in theater; it’s where I can express myself loudly, whereas I’m usually quiet and keeping to myself. I had such a positive experience with it that I was sure by high school that I wanted theater to continue being part of my life, whether in high school or as a career. As of right now, I want to go into film production or theater education, and both of those career options are definitely inspired by the plays and musicals I’ve been in.”
Wooley has been involved in theater productions all through middle school and high school and has learned a lot from her experiences. According to acttooplayers.com, being in theater can help students with confidence, cooperation, concentration, communication skills, problem-solving, memory and social awareness.
Wooley explained how being in musicals has helped her. “The biggest takeaway for me was learning to have courage and put myself out there,” she said. “I say that because I struggle with speaking my mind or being myself because I’m always trying to impress someone. When I’m onstage, though, and I’m channeling these pent-up feelings into my character, I learn from my character. It gives me confidence in my own life to do what I love and be who I want to be. It sounds kind of cliche when it comes to the message I’m giving, but I can say that theater has definitely made me more comfortable in my own skin.”
\tAfter joining theater, Wooley felt that she learned much about herself. She has gone from being interested in watching musicals to wanting to pursue a lifelong career relating to theater.
“My life would be very different had I not gone into theater,” she said. “I think most of my friends I have today are people I met through being involved in theater. Theater has shaped significant parts of my life and I’m grateful for it giving me those things every single day.”
Story by Sri Nattam