What is it like being in drama?

It is essential and fun being in a drama. It gives me something to look forward to at the end of the day and provides space for community and family creativity. … Drama is … learning to leave your ego out the door. Leaving your ego out the door means being able to be as accessible and comfortable and creative in a space that is often a little awkward or a little anxiety-inducing into an area that is just amazing and fun but also challenging and hard-working. You can stand yourself by people who want the specific show or just the department in general to thrive. 

What’s it like being in “The Importance of Being Earnest”?

It is amusing; it is quite the show. I love seeing my fellow cast mates blossom in different ways. English accents are entertaining! It is bittersweet because it is my last fall play here at Central, so I’m trying to make the most of it.

Do you have hopes and dreams of continuing theater?

I have a lot of hopes and dreams of continuing theater. I adore Broadway and love musical theater. I hope to be able to act on the stage or screen when I’m older. I love the process and the results, and being able to perceive that as a career would be amazing.

What’s your favorite memory from the show so far?

My favorite memory from the show so far [comes from the performance we did for] the middle school. …When there’s a scene with the maids and me where they are on the stairs, watching Cecily and Algernon, have their little moment. I walk in, clean the table, and spot them, and I give them this kind of mom death glare, and you know to drag them out of the scene. Still, this time for the specific show, we cut a few lines. … Mrs. Burns, A.K.A. Katy, one of our teachers, helpers, A.K.A. kind of like an assistant director who also helps with the dispatch of practically everything and anything came backstage and was like, Laila, go on right now, you have to go on, and I just walked out on stage and did the scene, and it was fine. … It was different from how we rehearsed it, but it was a little more fun than even how we usually do it. We all the maids and I walked off stage, and we were just giggling to each other, and it was just this kind of energy that you get in this kind of almost, I guess, a … high that you get from acting.