NEW ALBANY —
If Kayla Eilers didn’t know what she wanted to pursue after high school, she does now. Spending a week at YoungArts Week in Miami helped cement her future plans.
“It was an awesome experience, incredible” said Eilers, 18, a senior at New Albany High School. “Being at home, you don’t get to do theater every day, all day. You have your other classes. But down there it was all theater and it is what I want to do, every hour of the day.”
Getting to Miami was no easy feat. Eilers was one of 5,000 applicants, of which 152 finalists were invited to Miami the week of Jan. 9 to 14. The students selected to participate in the week of activities represented all types of arts, from dance and theater, to woodwinds and nonfiction writing. She sent a demo tape which included her singing and a monologue to the judges.
Not only did she get to attend the YoungArts Week, she also received a $1,000 scholarship and a chance to be selected as one of the 20 Presidential Scholars of the Arts, which will be chosen by the White House Commission of Presidential Scholars. She is one of 60 students being considered for that honor.
Eilers’ days in Miami consisted of workshops and various speakers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. At night, there were performances. Eilers was one of 22 students in the theater section of Young Arts Week.
“I was terrified going down there, but everyone was really friendly and supportive,” Eilers said. “I didn’t really expect that.”
She said she met a lot of new friends each night when the day’s activities were finished.
“Young Arts Week made me realize theater was what I wanted to do with my life; it’s what I want to do in college and pursue a job in that field.”
She said she has narrowed her college choices to Indiana or Webster University in St. Louis.
Eilers has been involved in dance and theater since she was a child. Her favorite role while at New Albany was Janet in the “Drowsy Chaperone.” She will close out her high school career in March when New Albany presents “Singin’ In The Rain.”
“I recognized when she came in as a freshman she had a vibrant personality and a lot of talent,” said David Longest, New Albany High School theater director. “She has been in all of our shows. She is very passionate about arts and is a true triple threat ... she can dance, sing and act. She is one of the most natural actresses that I have seen in years.”
Eilers said being involved in the theater department at New Albany has given her a solid base heading to college.
“It’s sad, but it is also exciting,” she said of her high school career coming to an end. “The next stop is college, which should be a great experience.
“At New Albany, everyone is so humble and friendly. Everyone involved in theater enjoys it and Mr. Longest and Ms. Bette [Weber-Flock] put a lot of time into the shows. That is important because it shows someone cares as much about theater as you do.”
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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New Albany High School senior Kayla Eilers was recently named a National Arts Finalist in theater. Staff photo by Kevin McGloshen
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New Albany High School senior Kayla Eilers was recently named a National Arts Finalist in theater. Staff photo by Kevin McGloshen
Discussion
A true triple threat: New Albany High School senior is one of select few to experience YoungArts Week
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