Student Nayeli C. recalls what it was like to make her theatrical debut in Rock of Ages for a live audience.

Nayeli C. is now an eighth-grader at La Pietra – Hawai‘i School for Girls. During the 2022-2023 school year, Nayeli was thrilled to make her theatrical debut as Lonny Barnett in the school's spring theatrical production, Rock of Ages, a jukebox musical. Selling out two nights on the Great Lawn, watch the video above to hear what it was like for Nayeli to get her first taste of performing musical theatre for a live audience.

]

Set on L.A.'s famous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew, a city boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl, who have both travelled to L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big. This classic love story is set against the troubles at the Dupree Room, a “legendary temple of rock 'n' roll excellence” under threat by developers of being torn down and replaced with a strip mall.

Nayeli's other hobbies include writing, acting, reading, and playing sports. She loves the Percy Jackson books and really wants to see the musical. Maybe that can be her next production – after all, she’s always wanted to visit Greece!