Isabella Merola

What companies/classes are you currently in?

I’m a Senior Cat and a Tap Cat.

Do you remember your first dance routine?

To be honest I don’t remember my first dance routine cause I was only 3.  The only thing I can recall about it is that the costume was green and blue.  

When did you start at Center Stage?

I started at Center Stage in my sophomore year, when I was fifteen.

What was your Center Stage journey?

My Center Stage journey has been very different from everyone else because this is only my third year here, while most people have been here their entire lives.  And my first year was the 2019-2020 season, when COVID first hit, so my time here has unfortunately been pretty limited.  However, I’m extremely thankful for the friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Why has it been worth all of the energy you’ve put into it and the sacrifices you’ve made?

At the end of the day, all the energy and sacrifices I’ve made have been worth it because I love to dance.  I’m a student at Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School and I’m a part of the dance program there, meaning that I’m dancing almost all day everyday.  It’s extremely tiring, but I’ve definitely grown as a dancer and a person during my time at Center Stage and I’m very thankful for that. 

Do you do other outside of school activities?

I don’t do any outside of school activities. 

What is it that dance makes you feel that you don’t get from anything else?

I feel like dance makes me experience a large variety of emotions that I don’t get anywhere else. Sometimes dance can make me feel stressed like nothing else can.  But on the other hand, dance can also feel extremely rewarding after a good class.  And of course there’s no feeling like the adrenaline rush of being on stage and I love it more than anything.

You started acting last year.  How is that for an introvert?  What were the biggest challenges and the biggest rewards?

It was very difficult for me, and I’m not used to having to put myself out there like that.  I always liked dance because it never required me to speak and I was able to tell a story with only my movements, but acting forced me to break out of my shell.  When I first started I would get anxious before class every week, but this year I’ve gotten much more comfortable and I enjoy it a lot.  It was very rewarding when I made it through the acting showcase without messing up any of my lines because my biggest fear was that I would choke up in front of the audience and forget everything, but I didn’t!  I’m excited for this year and I like my scene and my character a lot.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

My superpower would be teleportation because it would save me a lot of time.  Also I would be able to travel all around the world and still be home in time for dinner, which would be amazing because I love traveling but I don’t like sitting on a plane for a long time.

The zombie apocalypse is coming.  Who are 3 people you want on your team?

I’d just want to be with three random people who are even slower runners than me so whenever we get into a tough situation I could sacrifice one of them while I escape. 

What are you proud of yourself for?

This is a super deep question for me and I honestly don’t know how to answer it.  I’ve thought about it but I don’t really know what I’m proud of myself for on a large scale.  However, if we're just talking on a smaller scale, today I’m proud of myself for getting my homework done on time.

What are your pet peeves?

People who walk too slow and people who drive under the speed limit.  I have places to be.

What are you irrationally afraid of?

I have a lot of irrational fears, especially when it comes to social interactions.  I’m also scared of spiders and bugs.  But I’m honestly scared of most animals, especially birds.  Ostriches are my worst nightmare, and whenever my family went to Six Flags we would go to the drive through safari and I would cry when the ostriches came near my window.  If they were native to North America and roamed freely outside I think I’d never leave my house.

What do you wish you knew how to do that you can’t right now?  

I wish I knew how to crochet.  

Who are your role models?  Whose life and values, either from your personal life or famous people, would you like to emulate?

Not to be cheesy, but my role models are definitely my friends.  They’re all extremely talented and smart in their own ways and I’m always striving to be like them. 

What’s next?

Even though I haven’t committed anywhere yet, I’ll be going to college in the fall.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully in 10 years I’ll be dancing with a professional modern dance company, and/or be a dance teacher myself.   

Will you come back to visit Center Stage, or are you gone for good when you’re out the door?

I’ll definitely come back!