Tech and costume crewmembers scurry backstage, prepping for the moment the first actor steps out into the spotlight. The nervous energy in the room is palpable, but the actors are confident and ready. The audience is welcomed into the theatre, and the play begins, a culmination of months of hard work for everyone involved.

Freshman Layla Goodman and junior Anthony Rodriguez are both related to the acting industry in different ways; for Layla, it is a current dream and a passion. For Anthony, his family bond drew him in while he was young and allowed him to remain connected to films years after he stopped performing for a professional camera.

“I love people just coming up to me saying I did a good job,” Layla said. “I want to feel inspired because, looking up at the actors when I was younger, looking at the stage, I wanted to do that. I wanted to be inspiring. One of my biggest wishes is to be the person people look up to.”

Working as an actor can help young students develop into the people they want to be.

“I think acting has really helped Layla embrace who she is and be more comfortable being unique and standing out from the crowd,” Rachel Goodman, Layla’s mother, said.  “Acting isn’t about trying to be exactly like another person and fitting in; it’s being comfortable in yourself and embracing your uniqueness.”

Support from parents is crucial, especially when filming with a professional crew.

“Since Layla is under 18, I do have to be with her for her interviews with agents, managers, casting directors, etc.,” Mrs. Goodman said. “I’m there as a parent, but more to be supportive and allow her to shine.” 

Before 2020, the typical casting audition would involve going to a physical building to act in front of the casting director.

“For auditions, we’d go to different places in California,” Anthony said. “We’d get scripts ahead of time, audition, and if we got the role, we’d receive a callback.”

There has since been a major overhaul of youth casting, which led to new preparation techniques.

“After quarantine, everything went online,” Layla said. “Now I do self-tapes with a reader and a backdrop. I break down the script and character and trust myself. Music helps a lot. I make playlists for each of my characters.”

Getting to go behind the scenes lifted the movie-magic veil for the young actors.

“In a way, acting has ruined movies for me because now I know what goes behind the scenes and I know they’re actual people behind the characters,” said Layla. “Acting gave me confidence. It helped me with presentations, talking to people, and even interviewing. It’s helped me a lot in school.”

     Layla’s and Anthony’s motivations were different, but an underlying theme of simply appreciating movies and shows shines through.

     “I guess I just had a passion for acting,” Anthony said. “My cousin was involved with Disney at the time, and it was every kid’s dream.”

     Layla’s hard work over the years has led to her having a great base to build on coming into high school theatre classes.

     “She does well with improv and comedy,” theatre teacher Forrest Gamble said. “I’m looking forward to what else she’s going to bring to the department as she goes through.”

Her experiences interacting with other actors and audience members made Layla far more sociable, and she attributes her motivation to her father, who she remembers watching act while she was growing up.

“I used to be really shy,” Layla said. “I didn’t like people much. Movies and watching my dad perform helped me realize I always had something in me for acting.”

Doing so much improv work has led to it being fun for these young actors to present or perform in front of a live audience.

“I call it my curse—being comedic,” Anthony said. “I naturally try to make people laugh during presentations.”

Since it is time-consuming and for many a job, scholastic life and filming sometimes coincide.

“Sometimes acting conflicts with school,” Layla said. “I miss school for auditions and filming, and just recently, I’ve had people misunderstand work permits. It can be frustrating.”

Theatre and film may seem similar, but for those behind the scenes, they are incomparable worlds.

“Film and theatre are very different,” Layla said.      “Film is more grounded, while theatre has to be bigger. Acting isn’t just pretending—you have to truly embody the character.”

  Layla has already learned several life lessons throughout her acting career.

  “Trust yourself,” Layla said. “N.O. stands for Next Opportunity. Don’t let acting consume your whole life, and definitely stay in school.”

  Anthony agrees, but his proximity to Hollywood allowed him to have a different perspective.

  “It’s important for people to be themselves,” Anthony said. “Fame can change people, so remember your values.”

  Being a student, Layla still has a lot to learn, but she’s tackling every new step with determination.

“With each project, her work shows more depth, heart, and passion, and a growing ability to connect authentically with both the character and the audience,” Mrs. Goodman said.

Layla plans on using her current acting experience to pursue a career in the industry.

“I want to stay in the industry no matter what,” Layla said. “Even if I can’t act someday, I’d love to direct, produce, or work behind the scenes. My goal is to go as far as I can. One step at a time.”

Wherever acting takes her, Layla plans on approaching each new thing with hope and a good attitude.

“She’s always the positive person in the room,” Gamble said. “Layla excels at really anything she puts her mind to.”