Calderone chosen for esteemed drama program
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A few years ago, Kinsey Calderone had a revelation. She’d been chosen for a role in the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” when she realized she was having a life-changing encounter in regards to her future.
“Wow, this is what I have to do with the rest of my life.”
Next month, Calderone will begin her senior year of high school as a student in the drama program at the world-renowned University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in neighboring Winston-Salem. Selected to become a member of an elite class of 20 students, Calderone still finds it unfathomable, at times, to believe her reality.
Acceptance into the school’s senior class is competitive. Over 1,000 applications were received from potential students across the globe. Calderone submitted videos of her performing two contrasting monologues and singing a cappella. Additionally, she wrote an artistic statement. When Calderone received a call from UNCSA, she assumed it was because she had forgotten to complete her application.
“I’m trying to act all cool because I’m thinking ‘I certainly didn’t get in.’ They were like, we’d like to congratulate you on getting a spot in our senior drama program at UNCSA. I didn’t have it on speaker but my mom looks at me and just starts cheering. She said she saw my face and she knew I got in. I freaked out and I’m sobbing in the poor guy’s ear. He’s like, go celebrate and have fun. I was so over the moon. I’m super-duper happy.”
Calderone strikes a pose on UNCSA’s campus. {Contributed photo}
As a toddler, life as a performer wasn’t initially on Calderone’s radar. She played sports, and according to the thespian, “it was just not my thing.” A coach suggested she audition for a play that the Lexington Youth Theatre was producing. Ironically, it was the same play that would lead to her life-changing revelation – “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Calderone was approximately six when she performed in her first play but doesn’t remember much. However, she does recall a feeling she had when the young actresses and actors were allowed to dance with the rest of the cast.
“I think there’s a video of me going all out doing the absolute most on stage. You can tell I’m having the time of my life. I can’t find anything else like performing on stage.”
Surprisingly, it took taking a break from performing to stumble upon this realization. Before Calderone joined the Little Theatre, she swam competitively for a few years. During this time, reality came charging in to remind her that her home was the stage - a contradiction to how she lived her life.
“I’m a planner and strategy oriented. I love organization. I’m introverted and quiet so it’s kind of ironic I love being in the spotlight. Whenever I’m on stage, it doesn’t feel planned. It’s mostly instincts. I’ve never truly planned whatever I’m going to do or how I’m going to act. I can let the experience take over me rather than try to control myself.”
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After securing her first lead role in Lexington Senior High School’s (LSHS) production of “Oklahoma” in 2019, Calderone began to hone her craft. She admits to becoming more serious about voice and dance lessons. She started taking “Acting Out” classes at UNCSA where she was introduced to the prestigious drama program.
After learning of her admittance, Calderone faced a difficult decision. Could she really leave the only school system that’s nurtured her for over 12 years?
“There’s part of me that’s sad I’m not finishing my academic career at LSHS. I struggled for two weeks making a decision. Lexington is my home. I’m always going to be a Yellow Jacket no matter what. Sometimes I think ‘Did I make the right decision because of how much I’d leave behind?’ My mom and I have had several long conversations. She said, ‘You want to be a performer so going to UNCSA is kind of that pathway to becoming as good of a performer as I can be.’”
Calderone has plans to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in musical theatre at one of the top schools in the country. Yes, this hometown girl has dreams of being on Broadway, touring with a show or an international musical.
When she isn’t rehearsing, the seasoned performer, who has over 30 play credits to her name, enjoys running, hiking, color coding, organizing and hanging out with her best friends – her younger brother, Brooks, and her mother, Emy.
As Calderone prepares to begin this new chapter of her life in a few weeks, the new “Fighting Pickle” (UNCSA’s mascot) does so with a sense of gratitude for where she has been, is and where she’s going.
“I’m feeling very weightless. Lexington is the most special place on Earth and has done so much for me. No school can compare to LSHS. I think the universe has given me so many amazing things. I’ve received a lot of good karma even for the things I didn’t get. I’m feeling very grateful for all the opportunities and everything that’s come my way.”
