“I wanna to be the youngest professional musical actor in Broadway”

October 23rd, 2018



Our new newsletter article “Grow with iStage” starts this term. We will be featuring one iStage student and their achievements in each issue. We welcome parents, teachers and teacher’s assistant to provide us materials in order to showcase our student’s best qualities!


As for what’s next for Ava, after finishing her week at school she comes to iStage every Friday to participate in the Musical Theater Select class from 6pm to 9pm. After tried on the costumes prepared for the musical selected group, 20 minutes before the class, we started our interview.
 

Q: What are your hobbies in life? How did you find that you enjoy musicals?
A: "In addition to singing, I also like sewing. I like to do hairstyles for my mother. When my mother takes me to see a friend, sometimes they would let me perform songs. Doing this, I found that I like singing very much. After I began studying with iStage, I found I really like to perform on stage."

Q: The first time you chose to try to learn a musical.
A: "My mother found that my friends around me were studying, and decided to let me try too. After I tried it, I realized that this is the only career I want to pursue going forward."

Q: Is it hard work to learn musical theatre? Such as learning script and long hours rehearsal? How do you remember the lines?
A: "It used to take a long time to remember anything! With time I realized that through performance and singing, I am able to memorize these lines more deeply, and I become more and more proficient. I start to remember all the lines this way. I also take notes on the side, and when I finish my reading through the script, I will review these notes and slowly add them to my performance. I also go over my lines while I take a shower - I will write down the key lines in the fog on the wall.

Once I have the lines memorized, sometimes I will discuss the characters with my parents. Mom will search the video for me, so I can practice with the expressions with my lines, and Dad will give me feedback on emphasis and the tone of the lines. "

Q: Many people get nervous when they are on the stage. Do you feel nervous?
A: "Nervous feeling can be in the backstage, because when you are anticipating the performance, if you are anxious, you might feel this way. Once you are on the stage, I don't feel that nervous, because my teacher says: if you were presenting and you look nervous, then everybody around you will not smile. But if you go on stage with your confidence, then everybody will think you are pretty good!"

Q: At iStage you have performed in both Candy Land and Alice in Wonderland. Could you relate yourself to the characters? After the show, do you talk about your feelings?
A: "I don’t think I am personally very similar to the characters I have played so far. For example, if Alice sees a hole, she will have to know what is in the hole. I am more cautious, so I wouldn’t likely be so curious. One thing I did learn from Alice in Wonderland is thinking more deeply about the concept of ‘home’, warm and where you belong. I thought more about how I was born in Shanghai, so Shanghai is my home and I like Shanghai."

Q: What if you are cast in the role of a bad person? Is it difficult to play a person who is very different from yourself?
A: "I am willing to do this. When I read in the book before about the bad queen in Snow White, I think maybe she was not always bad, but the person whose love is locked up can become bad. To be a person who is different from myself will not be so hard, I will first imagine this character, and then I will show the next move. I think every character has its own story."

Q: After learning a musical, what impact does it have on your life and study?
A: "Of course, there is a big impact. Performance skills can make me dance better. Dancing can make me perform better. It can help me concentrate better in school. It can help me remember information in school. Playing here is always helping me be better in many ways.”

Q: You have done so well so far, where do you want to go in future?
A: "I would like to go to Broadway, I want to go to various professional stages, big or small. Every stage is an opportunity for a good performance. (Q: What about a random stage on the roadside?) The stage on the roadside is also a good stage. The talent of a Broadway musical actor was spotted when he was singing while cleaning the toilet. The opportunity is always there. As long as you are determined, you are able to reach your goal. My goal now is to be a professional musical actor and be the youngest professional musical actor in Broadway!"

Q: Do you like to study at iStage?
A: "I would not use the word like, it's a LOVE! I LOVE iStage! I told my best friend that this is a community of learners who can share and communicate here! iStage reminds me of the book “The 7 habits for Highly Effective People”. This book is a resource that can help people make effective choices and help people grow better. Sometimes what you are learning now is not necessarily used right away, but it will work in the future. iStage is a place where I am learning to think actively."

“When I met Ava for the first time she left a deep impression on me. With my 15 years of teaching experience, it was easy for me to recognize the spark of her enthusiasm. Her passion for musicals and her attitude towards new things is energetic. Her confidence and optimism are a very infectious force.” When speaking of Ava, Karina is not afraid to give high praise.

“When she first arrived, she was only 8 years old. Her whole personality was very lively and active. At the beginning, she was unaccustomed to the teacher's stage instructions. She knew that she wanted to perform, but she didn’t have specific direction. Now that she has developed some understanding, she shows a strong passion for musical theater. She is very talented, very serious about everything, and sets goals for herself. She has really grown a lot; every time I see her, she is progressing and maturing. She has actively and courageously accepted some very important roles, gradually blossoming in the development of musicals and becoming a promising young performer.”

Talent, hard work, and enthusiasm, Ava has the best assets of a person of her age. She is an example from whom every child can learn. During the interview, she danced and expressed her thoughts, and listened carefully to the interview questions. She also respectfully and politely expressed her gratitude. It is inspiring to see the positivity, optimism and knowledge of a 9-year-old child. We hold in high regard of the power of education, and look forward witnessing her continued growth and change, so that all her future goals can be realized. All dreams can be achieved!