If you’ve ever seen a blonde girl singing Shrek the Musical songs or talking about cats, it’s most likely that you’ve witnessed senior Kate Layman. Kate just finished her last performance on the Delphi Community High School stage as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical. Kate is planning on attending Ball State University and reauditioning for their musical theatre program. “I was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts [in New York City]; however, with the cost of tuition I am not thinking it is reasonable. I will most likely be attending a two-week intensive with the academy this summer before going to Ball State,” Kate continued. “After college, I want to move to New York. I want to be among the artsy people who are busy all day with their theatre career. Cortney Wolfson was from the Lafayette area and now is a marquee actress for Kinky Boots and she says she really wants to help me accomplish similar to how she has.”
These post-secondary plans have been a long-time in the making. Kate has been acting since age six, when she was an “evil person” and “got to cut off the lion’s (Andrew Martin’s) mane and say ‘Ah-ha!’” in Stargazer’s production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Kate first knew she wanted to be an actress when she was the goose in Charlotte’s Web. “That was my first good role and the assistant director told me I’d never amount to anything so… awkward because I’m currently kicking butt. My top five musicals I’ve ever been in are 5. Charlotte’s Web 4. Pirates of Penzance 3. Annie Jr. 2. Bye Bye Birdie 1. Young Frankenstein.”
Kate has had a very successful career in high school as well. She’s managed to be a lead in all four musicals: Inga in Young Frankenstein, Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Lucy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and, finally, the Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical. She is a three-year member of the Entertainers, who managed to get Gold in Group I District, Group I State, and Group I Jazz Ensemble, which results in their getting their picture on the wall for the first time in seven years. She has been in band since sixth grade and has been to Disney World with them her sophomore year and New York City this year.
When asked what she will miss the most about Delphi Community High School, Kate replied, “I’m going to miss backstage. That has been my summer home, my changing room, my bedroom. I have slept there after a long night of set construction, fallen asleep with half the cast because of mono, and I’ve made so many memories in that little hallway.” Kate has not only made a lot of memories in that hallway, but also with the people in that hallway.
“I admire her ambition, sense of humor, and passion in everything she does. Her theatre performance is outstanding; she does so much for all of us and we don’t even know that she is doing these things. She has inspired me to not care about what other people think. (Unless it’s the audience),” said sophomore Amanda McCarty.
“I am grateful for Kate recruiting me to the musical. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, but it has become the highlight of each year,” said junior Tanner Pearson.
Kate has certainly made her mark on Delphi Community High School and its students. Now, we all wait with bated breath for her to make her mark on Broadway.