There are actors who seek the spotlight, and then there are actors who bring such grace, beauty and talent to the stage it seems as though the spotlight seeks them.

Madison Case, who played Katherine in this season’s musical “Newsies,” is one of those rare actors. She brought such elegance, grace and natural stage presence she seems born for the spotlight. But her craft and stagemanship didn’t come naturally to her; she had to step outside her comfort zone – several times over — to reach that point in her young career.

“Most of these actors start off being very timid,” said Lynda Nolan, director and head choreographer for “Newsies.”

“Trying something new and doing it in front of a very large audience is scary. I remember when Madi first started she was very timid. She was like, `Don’t look at me.’ And now look at her: She can hold the stage by herself.”

Case has been in four high school musicals. She was in eighth grade when she was cast in her first musical. Prior to that, she’d done ballet and through ballet had greatly enjoyed her time on stage. Nolan was a family friend and that made Case’s first forays into the world of acting feel less intimidating.

Case got her start in the ensemble of “Beauty and the Beast.” Next she was in the ensemble of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.” Last year she played Marie, as well as part of the ensemble, in “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Case performed her first solo last year, and it was a big step forward preparing her for her leading role this year.

“[Last year’s solo] was definitely nerve-wracking but it was a good experience and made me more prepared for having a lead role this year,” she said.

She briefly felt the pre-show jitters again this year, but they quickly dissipated.

“I was nervous for the first performance but after that, I didn't really get nervous,” she said.

“When I feel nervous before a performance, I always just remind myself that what I'm doing is fun, and that I do it for fun, that I don’t have to be perfect.”

Case had practiced her lines almost every day and listened to recordings of herself saying the lines while she was doing schoolwork or chores. On the night the curtain opened, she was prepared.

The Success Cycle

As students advance through Page High School’s Theatre Department, they undergo several stages of transformation. It starts with them having a desire to try something new. But taking that step can be scary, intimidating, and require them to step out of their comfort zone. But they do it. They try it. It is a brave thing to do. Learning a new skill, teaching yourself a new talent, is always daunting in the beginning because as they’re learning the new craft, the new skill, there will be stumbles and shortcomings. In the beginning it can feel overwhelming. Learning the blocking, learning the dance steps, learning their lines. The students will experience feelings of insecurity, or imposter syndrome.  And those feelings can get amplified considerably if all this is happening in a public place – such as a stage – where any shortcomings or mistakes occur in the public eye.

But if a student puts in the time and the work, they will develop the skills and the talent to succeed at the new venture. And when they do, a great deal of confidence will come from it, and they now possess the confidence to try the next new thing.

Learning how this process works – and that it can be continuously replicated – is one of the greatest life skills a student can learn. It is something that will continue to serve them throughout their life.

As director of the Page High School Theatre Department, Nolan has seen that cycle play out numerous times with the kids who come through her program.

“It’s a really great process to see the kids go from being so shy, then saying, `I can do this,’ and stepping out and putting themselves out there,” said Nolan. “It’s really cool to watch that transformation.”

She saw that exact thing happen with Case. “Both last year and this year she was ready to try something more, whereas her freshman year she wasn’t quite ready for it yet,” said Nolan. “But then last year she was ready to try her first solo and she got the part, and she did an amazing job, and this year she was ready to try for the lead.”

Auditions for this year’s musical occurred back in May, at the end of the last school year, and the first day of rehearsals was the first day of school this year. “Newsies” has a lot of singing and dancing, and the leads have numerous pages of script to memorize, all of which must be blocked and rehearsed.

“Madi came to her audition very prepared, and she was very impressive,” said Nolan. “We voted and gave her the role because we thought she would make the best Katherine. She practiced so hard to make sure she knew her role and her blocking and show the passion in her singing. She worked her butt off for it, she put in the extra effort and it really showed.”

Taking on a leading role was intimidating at first, said Case. “But as I became more confident in my abilities, I would definitely say it was fun. Being the center of attention can be scary sometimes, but I definitely loved it for the majority.”

Dedication and Discipline

For actors, the path from receiving the role to stepping into the spotlight is paved with dedication and discipline.

“I would write out a schedule every week of what areas to hit, and I would make sure to get an equal amount of practice in my dancing, singing, and line memorization,” said Case.

When the actors practiced a scene on stage, it was also recorded and posted on the Band app. The actors could then watch and re-watch those scenes and find the spots in their routine that still needed work and practice them at home.

Despite the dedication she gave to her role, Case felt the nervousness build as opening day got closer and closer.

“When the first of October rolled around, I started feeling stressed out about whether I would be able to memorize everything in time,” she said, “but luckily, I ultimately did.”

With the play wrapped, Case has mixed emotions.

“It's definitely a bittersweet feeling,” she said. “I’m looking forward to having more time to pursue hobbies and homework, but nothing beats the feeling of being on stage with my friends in fun costumes and fun music for an auditorium of people to see.”

Case is also on Page High School’s cheer squad. Last year was her first year doing it, and she is planning on doing it again this year. She’s also in choir, a member of the National Honor Society, and has a 4.0 GPA. She is the daughter of Brent and Penni Case.