Senior Cassidy LeClair shows her talent with years of VAPA excellence.

There once was a young girl who happened to stumble into room 504 drama at the kingdom of PRHS. This room was governed by Queen Marcy Goodnow who each year awaits for new actors and actresses to make their debut at PRHS. Born with the love of acting, singing and dancing she was meant to be a performer. The stage transforms her into characters of make believe and she takes her audience on a journey.

The red curtain and spot lit stage senior Cassidy LeClair cavorted for four years– has changed her life in ways she never knew it would.

After four years of drama and a total of eight performances in her high school career, LeClair has learned that this was what she was made for.

LeClair will major in theater at Fresno State University this upcoming fall semester.

Cassidy mesmerizes her audience with her ability to totally indulge herself into her character, making everyone believe that she has personalities such as a evil pirate, an orphan, a caring sixteen year old in the 1930’s or one of Ariel’s sisters.

“One of my favorite characters she performed was Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher. She really proved her versatility when she turned around and a few months later played Liesl in The Sound of Music where she dazzled us with her intelligent portrayal of such a iconic character,” said Goodnow, who has been Cassidy’s drama teacher all four years.

One way that she mesmerizes her audience is by using a unique gift that she has.  When it comes to acting LeClair lets her eyes do all of the work. With characters that do not have a lot to say she has mastered the art of still expressing emotion wordless. The way she lets her eyes pop in moments of shock and the focus she has in every scene shows her dedication to this art.

“There’s something special about communicating only using eyes. It’s as if no words need to be said, only thought, so I let my eyes do the talking,” said LeClair.

Her ability to light up on stage and around campus has made LeClair admired by her peers on and off campus.

“I remember meeting her and just being utterly astonished that someone could be so willing to give to the world the way that she does,” said friend and PRHS alumni Kylie Managan.

As the president of Drama club, JOOI club, choir and vice president of dance, LeClair has made her leadership skills known through her kindness and willingness to work with others.

“I think it is very important to accept people for who they are and open yourself to see many perspectives and not just your own,” said LeClair.

Having completed four years of drama and eight years of dance, Cassidy has developed a passion for performing arts. As shown in her schedule, four out of her seven classes this year are performing arts; LeClair starts off her day dancing, ends it with singing, and manages to squeeze two drama classes in between.

“Cassidy has grown so much throughout her 4 years in Advanced Dance. As a teacher I can always count on her to lead by example . What I have really loved is her thoughtfulness in her choreography. She has told some amazing stories on stage and I couldn’t be more proud of her courage and creativity. I’m really proud of who she is as a person and feel so fortunate that I got to have her in class for so many years” said Advanced Dance teacher Jennifer Bedrosian.

Drama has been a major part of her life, as she joined the program during the spring musical The Music Man her freshman year.

“Cassidy is one of the hardest working and creative actors I have ever worked with. She has such an amazing imagination and is as brave as they come. I have had an amazing time directing her over the years” said Goodnow.

For the past three years LeClair and her fellow drama classmates have performed in the annual PRHS Mock Rock. Each year they have won and advanced to go face other schools and represent PRHS at county Mock Rock.

LeClair’s friends appreciate how authentic she is.

“She is undeniably herself and no one else. She has taught me so much about confidence and how it comes from within and not from what others say,” said Managan.

As the curtain closes, Cassidy may be leaving PRHS but she will never be forgotten.