You’re standing in front of a group of people,all eyes on you. You begin to talk, and they hold onto every word. They watch as you move, as you speak, as you do anything. That’s how Zoe Kane feels when she helps with dance classes at Dare County Parks and Rec, stars in and choreographs the school musical and belts out songs in chorus.
Kane participates in copious extracurricular activities, but she also challenges herself with taking nine classes her senior year. That’s on top of applying for college, scholarships and keeping her GPA up.
“A week in my life is hectic. I have dance classes from 4:30 to 8:30 on Mondays, I student teach on Tuesdays from 4:15 to 6:40, and then afterwards I run solo practice,” Kane said. “I’m trying to stay within the top of my class, so I keep a busy school schedule. After school every day, I have theater practice, which can run any time from 4 to 7:30 at night – 10 if it’s the last eight days of rehearsal.”
For the last few months, Kane’s busy day has included one thing: rehearsal for the spring musical, “Mamma Mia!”, and her leading role as Donna Sheri- dan. Not only does she perform her numbers, she also works behind the scenes by choreographing several dances featured in the musical.
Co-director Monica Penn said there were many reasons for choosing Kane for the lead role of Donna.
Her experience, for one: Kane has been in FFHS musicals since her freshman year.
“Zoe had the most experience, confidence and had the highest rating across the categories that we look for, which are acting ability, dancing ability, singing ability, grades and availability,” Penn said. “And not many people can belt like Zoe can.”
Kane’s experience is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why she was chosen as the lead. She contributes greatly to the musical, and has shown her professionalism to the directors.
“She is always there when she’s needed and then some,” Penn said. “She’s contributed not only by being the star vehicle in this musical, playing Donna Sheridan, but she’s also helped choreograph so many of the numbers. She’s also helped clean up, fix and energize some of the other numbers in the musical.”
Dedication is not the only requirement for playing a lead role. Working well with others is a top priority when working with large groups of people. Junior Grace Rusk, who plays Tanya, one of Donna’s best friends in “Mamma Mia!,” emphasizes Kane’s ability to get along with just about anyone.
“She’s a really understanding person,” Rusk said. “She knows the best way to give you feedback, and she can take feedback as well, which is beneficial when doing theater because you need that.”
Choreographing for the musical is not the only dancing that Kane does in her week. Having spent the last 15 years dancing at Dare County Parks and Rec, she spends Mondays and Tuesdays at the Rec center not just learning, but teaching as well. Kane teaches younger girls how to become better dancers.
“My favorite part about working with the younger girls is seeing that I’m leaving an impact in their lives. I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and I can remember when I was younger working with my teachers and looking up to the older dancers, want- ing to be just like them,” Kane said. “They left such a heavy impact on my dancing career and pushed me to be the best dancer I could be. I hope that as these girls grow older they’ll be able to look back at the moments I’ve shared with them and push themselves to higher standards as well.”
Kane also is a member of the FFHS choir, and is currently the co-president. She has been a four-year member of the high school choir and also did choir in middle school, starting in the sixth grade. Director John Buford has taught Kane all seven years.
“Zoe, although she has a quiet personality, gathers a lot of respect from her peers because they realize there’s a talent in that quietness,” Buford said. “She’s invested in chorus, and it means a lot to her. It has ever since she started seven years ago. It’s something she values.”
So, whether you need a leader, a learner or a listener, Zoe Kane is who to call.
“Zoe has been consistently focused as long as I’ve known her, since sixth grade,” Buford said. “Some people just are that way. She’s consistently Zoe.”
Junior Kayla Loveless can be reached at 24lovelesska73@daretolearn.org.
