In the vibrant chaos of backstage life, where costumes shimmer and scripts lay scattered , senior Sky Collins is a star on stage and in the classroom. The curly haired girl with unique fashion and a busy schedule might make conquering all these tasks look easy, but the source of her superpower originated from her superhero-like arc.
“The things you’re interested in and the things you care about, it’s almost like they become the things that write your moral code. The things I’m interested in are the things that drive me in life and help me see who I want to be as a person. In high school, I think all people want to know is who they are gonna be, but you have to go and do these things to find out,” Collins explained.
Collins began her work in theatre during her freshman year of high school and continued her acting, set building, and even advising, as she completed all theatre pathway classes offered. She has been in drama club for four years, served as the club secretary for two, and completed all the theatre classes offered at PRHS.
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Collins has played countless roles since being a part of the Paso High Theatre Company (PHTC), but she admits that her favorite role was her most recent, where she played the role of Persephone in Hadestown. In Greek mythology, Persephone is the goddess of spring, who is married to Hades but seeks freedom.
“I thought her balance of love for Hades and need for freedom was such a universal experience. It’s the experience of trying to balance the people you love but also do what’s best for yourself. As an oldest daughter who wants to try new things but also care for her family, Persephone really resonated with me,” Collins said.
Theatre teacher Marcy Goodnow says Collins has been extremely dedicated to the PHTC throughout her high school career and is excited to see what life brings the young actress.
“Sky is a truly special performer and person. She has a magnetic energy on stage, is an excellent student, thrives in a creative environment and is an amazing role model,” Goodnow said.
Collins has also been an assistant director for the PHTC production of Frozen Kids. Collins said that she’s not done with theater and acting, sharing that one of her biggest dreams is to someday direct.
“Stories need to be told. I really think that acting and film can really help people heal. All of the ‘cheesy’ things in theatre can really define you and nothing is ‘cheesy’ about following your dream, that should be acknowledged, ” Collins said.
Along with her passion for theatre, Collins spent three years in the BearKittens Pathway where she began as student teacher, helping at stations and is now a director where she helps advise and plan activities for the children,
“I’ve become much more of a ‘bigger-picture person.’ Being a director bear kittens and an assistant director in theatre has made me realize that preschoolers and highschoolers are not that different in a way. Whether it’s a bear kitten or an actor, my role as a leader is to direct them in their own personal goal,” Collins said.
Bearkittens has also allowed Collins to compete in SkillsUSA where she has won awards while competing. It has taught her so much about professionalism within a workspace including how to write a resume, how to utilize your skills and even how to dress professionally,
Collins says that as her final days in high school come to an end she looks forward to her future at UCLA where she will major in Sociology.
“Dance, theatre, bear kittens, all these things, I see them as a way of getting me closer to my goal. It’s like college is the light at the end of the tunnel. All these things get me a step
Collins recently rewatched an episode of Mr. Rogers with her younger siblings and was moved by one of his lines stating, “Often when you are at the end of something you’re at the beginning of something else much more inspiring.”
“I think people need to see high school more as an opportunity to learn about themselves, it’s also important to remember that it’s not the end,” Collins said with a smile.
closer, and then I’ll get to college and I’ll find another goal, another thing that keeps me going,” Collins said.
