Senior Leah Hummel sits at a table in the Black Box Theatre. She is portraying a salesman in Niles West Theatre’s The Director’s Studio. She tries to sell fellow actress, senior Sarah Hernandez, light bulbs, but even with her charming pitches she still fails. The scene goes on, and it’s another production well done for Leah. Theatre has been an integral part of Leah’s life since she was a part of the production Once On This Island second quarter of her freshman year.
“Theatre is the best thing that anyone can do with their lives,” Leah says.
When Leah was younger she went to theatre camps, but they weren’t as professional as Niles West’s Theatre department. Since her freshman year, Leah has been a part of 26 productions, including Rabbit Hole, Once On This Island, and The Director’s Studio. Besides acting, Leah also helps out with costumes for the shows. Recently, she did the costumes for The King and I.
“[Theatre] is the most amazing art form. [It] has the biggest impact on society,” she says.
In her spare time, Leah is an amateur graphic artist. She likes to write poetry, watch movies, and eat. She also takes challenging classes at West, like APES.
Leah will be majoring in Theatre Design and Technology at Western Michigan University in the fall, but she definitely will not forget her experiences at West.
“Niles West Theatre is one of the most outstanding theatre departments.”
Leah’s last production at Niles West will be the Improv Show on Friday, May 27.
Fun Facts:
NWN: What is your favorite play/musical?
Leah: “Hair at the Western in London with the original revival cast.”
NWN: What is your favorite movie?
Leah: “Every [Johnny] Depp film.” He is also her favorite celebrity.
NWN: What is your favorite show?
Leah: “Ru Paul’s Drag Race.”
NWN: What is your favorite food?
Leah: “Buttery and flaky croissants.”
Becca Levy • May 31, 2011 at 12:21 PM
I absolutely love Leah’s work, she is an incredibly gifted theatre artist. However, I am a friend of hers and am also involved in theatre and may I say that she was somewhat misquoted. It is Hair at the “West End”, not Western. The West End is the most famous theatre area in the world (next to Broadway, of course, so maybe some research was in order) and she was starring in the Director’s Studio with Sarah HERNANDEZ. Sarah Espinoza graduated. And “extraordinaire” is spelled wrong. Otherwise, good job!
Editor • May 31, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Thanks. A correction has been made.
Rira Girbelt • May 26, 2011 at 7:39 PM
I DO LOVE LEAH HUMMEL’S ACTING AND COSTUMING AS MUCH AS NWN DOES. (:
joe schmo • May 26, 2011 at 9:42 AM
hey these things on people are super cool. but i think a spotlight on people from band choir and orchestra would be cool too. im down to learn things about those people.
Mara Shapiro • May 27, 2011 at 9:12 AM
We are currently writiing a story on Mikey Undas, who is involved in the musical department. My beat is Theatre, so that is what I focus on in my stories.