From opening nights and concert performances to late rehearsals and backstage preparations, LWHS performing arts students dedicated this year to creativity, collaboration, and community. For the senior members of the Class of 2026, this season also marked the culmination of years spent growing into performers, artists, technicians, and leaders.

Through theatre, stagecraft, dance, vocal music, and instrumental performance, these students helped shape the LWHS performing arts community. As graduation approaches, six seniors reflect on the experiences, friendships, and personal growth that defined their final season on campus. Read on to hear what Class of 2026 seniors Nyara A., Daniel W., Tzeviel T., Greta E., Kai S., and Tarek W. shared about their time in the performing arts at Lick-Wilmerding. 

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Nyara A. ’26
Years involved: 4
Programs: Dance & Theatre
The spring season in a nutshell: Spontaneous and joyful connection

Nyara’s love of storytelling began early, inspired by her father’s stories and her desire to “fall into them.” Before LWHS, she sang with the San Francisco Girls Chorus and performed in her first opera, Hansel and Gretel. At LWHS, she has been active in theatre and dance since freshman year, using performance to connect with others through creativity and emotion.

How has being involved in the performing arts at LWHS helped you feel a sense of belonging, connection, or community at school?
The LWHS performing arts community is unlike any other. Especially during tech week, there is a bond created that comes from shared joy and expression, as well as (good) stress. The arts truly do bring people together. They are the places where we are unapologetically ourselves. We make mistakes, we fall, and we try new and scary things. I believe that is why we are so connected. It is the imperfection and spontaneity of live performance that make it so much more important to have trust and love for the people you are working with.

What have you learned about yourself through participating in the performing arts this year?
This year in particular taught me that mastering the simple things—lines, choreography, music—is only the first step to a good performance. If LWHS’ performing arts has taught me anything, it is that mastery is just the first stepping stone to a great performance. Only after that can you truly embody a character or a dance and make it your own.

Looking back on this season, what performance, rehearsal, or moment stands out most to you?
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was a particularly challenging yet fascinating show to be a part of because of the sheer amount of improvisation. Having FacStaff and students onstage as volunteer spellers only furthered the joyfulness and spontaneity of this show. Each show, we would react differently to their spelling, improvise lines based on the particular FacStaff/student’s interests and lives, and make sure not to run into them as we danced around the stage!
 

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Daniel W. ’26
Years involved: 3
Programs: Vocal Ensemble & Theatre
The spring season in a nutshell: Growth

Daniel began performing in his sophomore year after deciding to try something new beyond baseball. While he enjoyed the sport, he struggled with confidence and self-acceptance. After his first play, the performing arts became central to his life, giving him a sense of belonging and purpose. He credits the LWHS theatre community with helping him grow and says it will stay with him wherever he goes.

How has being involved in the performing arts at LWHS helped you feel a sense of belonging, connection, or community at school?
In my freshman year, I was not the man I am today. I was very closed off and self-conscious about how other people perceived me. LWHS theatre did wonders for me ever since I started and it taught me how to keep my head up high and discover my own self-worth. Mr. Zavala and Mr. Asaro are some of the most welcoming people I have ever met, and they are able to inspire students who have been doing theatre their whole lives and those who have never acted before. Before the theatre program, I was a baseball kid, and I never thought I could get up on stage and pull at people's heartstrings, make people laugh, and make the audience feel whatever emotion I was conveying.

What have you learned about yourself through participating in the performing arts this year?
This program taught me how resilient I can be in tough situations. Whether it is learning to balance time, figuring out how to play a certain character, or not getting the role I wanted, I have learned to keep working hard no matter how things turn out. My work ethic would not be what it is without this program.

Looking back on this season, what performance, rehearsal, or moment stands out most to you?
I think of the spring musical and all the work it took to put my character together. When I first looked at the cast list, I was not very happy with my role. I was cast as the protagonist's father, who is not really in the show that often and has to sing a very vocally challenging song. I was both sad and scared, and I went to Mr. Asaro to discuss my feelings. The specific moment, or rather moments, was meeting for vocal lessons once a week with Mr. Asaro. This stood out to me because I was able to learn so much about singing and tactics/methods that took my theatre acting to the next level. Even though I wasn't the biggest role, Mr. Asaro and the teachers in this program valued me.
 

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Tzeviel T. ’26
Years involved: 3
Programs: Instrumental Music & One Acts
The spring season in a nutshell: Explosive and centered around joy and fun.

Tzeviel began performing at Lick during sophomore year after joining Jazz, encouraged by a senior who heard him and a friend jamming in the music room during freshman year. Although he had never performed before and did not initially see himself as a musician, his experience in Jazz transformed music into a core part of his identity.

How has being involved in the performing arts at LWHS helped you feel a sense of belonging, connection, or community at school?
All 3 years I have been doing Jazz, I have always looked forward to my Jazz block. My classes were always full of people who loved what they were doing, and the energy we all shared made all of us play better.

What have you learned about yourself through participating in the performing arts this year?
Being in Advanced Jazz this year, I got to branch out and really play what I really enjoy: Latin percussion. My previous years, when I did percussion (not the drum kit), I had a smaller role and didn't really enjoy when I soloed. This year, having a bigger role and playing what I enjoy, I learned that I was really able to express myself through the music I was playing.

Looking back on this season, what performance, rehearsal, or moment stands out most to you?
One performance that stood out to me was opening night for One Acts. I had never really done any type of stage performance before, so having a non-serious but high energy chance to try acting was really fun.
 

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Greta E. ’26
Years involved: 4
Programs: Vocal Ensemble & Theatre/Costume Design
The spring season in a nutshell: Joy

Greta has been involved in the performing arts at LWHS since freshman year, contributing costume design to nearly every school production. A lifelong theatre enthusiast, she began performing at age three and acted in musicals throughout her early schooling. At LWHS, she has expanded her involvement through costume design, Vocal, and The Wave a cappella club, performing all four years, including annual holiday caroling on Ocean Avenue.

How has being involved in the performing arts at LWHS helped you feel a sense of belonging, connection, or community at school?
The performing arts at Lick are a big part of why I feel so supported here. All of my friends have been involved in the performing arts, theatre specifically, in some way. I think being behind the scenes emphasizes this—the crew at Lick is one of the kindest, most supportive groups I know, but over the years, the actors have really welcomed everyone in, and often encourage me to be included in their little traditions. 

What have you learned about yourself through participating in the performing arts this year?
This year I became more of a leader in the performing arts. I've learned a lot about thinking on my feet to find actionable solutions to last-second problems (safety pins are always a good tool!), and when to delegate certain tasks versus when I should step up to do something. This year especially I was pushed out of my comfort zone a little in terms of leadership and speaking up, and I feel really grateful for that. 

Looking back on this season, what performance, rehearsal, or moment stands out most to you?
In Little Women, I was one of the only senior customers, so I stepped into more of a leadership role, helping make sure the younger costumers, especially the underclassmen, knew what to do. One of my favorite moments was when several costumers successfully helped Nola, playing Jo, put on a wig for a scene, all in under a minute. I remember seeing them from the wings on the other side of the stage, cheering at each other. Moments like that really highlight the joy of theatre, particularly behind the scenes.
 

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Kai S. ’26
Years involved: 3
Programs: Stagecraft & One Acts
The spring season in a nutshell: All over the place in the best way possible.

Kai has been actively involved in theater since sophomore year, participating in the One Acts and contributing behind the scenes through both Stagecraft and Advanced Stagecraft. Kai has also worked on the lighting team for Lost Girl, the 2024 and 2026 One Acts, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, demonstrating a strong commitment to technical theater and production work.

How has being involved in the performing arts at LWHS helped you feel a sense of belonging, connection, or community at school?
I've met some lifelong friends through theatre, like Lazlo and Daniel, and I feel grateful for that opportunity. Because the performing arts requires you to put yourself out there and be vulnerable, it creates very close bonds between cast and crew.

What have you learned about yourself through participating in the performing arts this year?
I think that I have learned how much I enjoy the magic of the theatre. I feel so excited each time to be on stage or in the booth and to be a part of the joyful community that the theatre is. Each performance is unique and special, and I love how each audience shapes the performance in a different way.

Looking back on this season, what performance, rehearsal, or moment stands out most to you?
The moment that most stands out to me was the first tech rehearsal of the One Acts. Everyone, including myself was shaky on lines, and it was chaos. However, I think that part of the magic of the One Acts is the product that emerges out of that chaos. We all learned our lines fully, figured out what we were actually doing, and put on an amazing show.
 

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Tarek W. ’26
Years involved: 3
Programs: Vocal Ensemble & Theatre
The spring season in a nutshell: Sometimes when something feels uncomfortable, that’s just your body trying to adjust.

Tarek began his journey in the performing arts in the first semester of his sophomore year when he joined Vocal Ensemble. That experience led him to take on roles in the spring musical and annual One Acts, and he continued expanding his involvement through the fall play, spring musical, and Vocal Ensemble in the following years.

How has being involved in the performing arts at LWHS helped you feel a sense of belonging, connection, or community at school?
I have always had a strong connection to the performing arts as they have allowed me to find my own voice; both figuratively and literally. So much of the confidence, patience, and self-respect that I have built for myself can definitely be attributed to the support and guidance I was given as a performer at Lick.

What have you learned about yourself through participating in the performing arts this year?
Throughout my chances of getting to sing, act, and dance, I have learned that I will always be someone who enjoys trying new or uncomfortable things in order to see if it aligns with me as a person. Being a part of the performing arts program at LWHS has helped me realize how important it is to not only mess things up, but accept mistakes as part of the process. So much of the performances that I have been proud of are only due to the mountain of errors I made along the way.

Looking back on this season, what performance, rehearsal, or moment stands out most to you?
The moment that stood out most for me was when I performed “Lied to You” by Miles Caton at the Black History Month community meeting. It was my first ever time getting to perform not only a song that hit close for me and my family, but also comes from a genre that’s tied to my identity as a Black man. Being at a PWI has made me realize the importance of sharing your culture in a space where it might not be so present.