Sarah Pereira

What companies/classes are you currently in? 

I am currently in tap cats, hoofers, hip hop, and the Sr Cat company.

When did you start at Center Stage? 

I started at Center Stage in 2012.

Do you remember your first dance routine? 

Oh ummm, I believe it was a ballet dance with a teacher named Ms. Karina who was there at the time.

What was your Center Stage journey? 

I started at Center Stage only taking 1 ballet class a week, and was soon after introduced to company, where I became a jr. cougar, and worked my way up through the jr. cat companies and later into apprentices and now sr. Cats.

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

Being at the studio just teaches you so many life skills that are so valuable. You learn the importance of managing your time, learning to work with others, and so much more. The studio has not only taught me so much, but has brought me some of the best people into my life. Most of my closest friends are the ones I meet here. When you spend several hours a week with the same people you tend to form almost like a (trauma bond) that other people just wouldn’t understand. They are my biggest supporters as I am theirs. 

When you first started acting classes at Center Stage, it was really because it was a required class, rather than because you had any particular interest, right? What changed? Was there a moment or a scene or a role where you connected to what acting is about? 

Acting was also this fun break from dancing all week. It consisted of these weird and interesting exercises to try to get us to emulate and embody a character and have the audience be able to understand that. As acting became more serious, I began to realize my deep love for it. I think the moment where it clicked for me was the 2021 acting showcase, where Stephen had me play a deranged old lady with an obsession of killing small dogs by poisoning them. And trust me, I understand that sounds quite insane, and it probably was. But the thing was I didn’t care what everyone else thought at the time, I was so committed to being this character that it didn’t matter even if she was mentally unstable and needed to be institutionalized. Isn’t that what acting is all about? 

You don’t live in a cul-de-sac like a lot of Center Stage students. What’s life like out in the boondocks? What animals currently live with you? 

Oh gosh, living on a farm is definitely something I take for granted every now and then. My favorite days are those nice spring days where I can lay out in the hammock with only the sound of the breeze and the birds to keep me company. So currently on my farm I have 4 horses; Coffee, Thunder, Annabelle, and her baby and newest member Storm. Along with this I have my beautiful husky Hunter, who unfortunately ate all the chickens we used to have (LoL). But it’s okay, we have wild geese to take the place of the chickens we no longer have. 

Who are your heroes and why? 

My biggest hero will definitely have to be my dad, he’s honestly like no other. My father at the age of 19 moved to a foreign country with nothing but the clothes on his back in hopes for a better future. He worked relentlessly for decades, where he was then finally able to start his own business. Not only is he the most hardworking person I know, he has the biggest heart to go along with it. All my dad has ever wanted to do was provide for my siblings and I. Without my dad I wouldn’t be able to do anything I do now. Everything I know is from him, my work ethic, my confidence, even my humor, everything except my looks (I’m way better looking) :) 

If you were a superhero, what would be your name? Super-power? Costume? 

If I were a superhero, I would be named “Lady Legs” because Amara’s mom came up to me at a competition once and told me that was my nickname the moms gave me, and I kinda like the sound of it. My superpower definitely has to be the ability to either fly or talk to animals. And costume wise I would love to wear a gold long sleeve bodysuit with a giant cape that drapes behind it. 

If you were made queen of the world, what would be your first edict? 

If I was queen of the world my first course of action would be to deal with the issue of global warming to save our planet then attempt to take on the challenge of dealing with world hunger. Afterwards I would buy a lifetime supply of hockey tickets to share with Mickey and Aryan so we can all go and watch the devils lose … or win together:) 

What personal quality do you have that you are most proud of? 

I think my most useful quality is my ability to adapt. Growing up I’ve moved quite a few times, never far, but each place being very different then the last. And with this I’ve had to learn to get along with all different kinds of people. This has made me more comfortable and confident to be able to talk to just about anyone, and although at the time I dreaded it tremendously, looking back now I’m so thankful. 

What’s next? 

So I recently have just committed to Coastal Carolina University to study business marketing #rollchants!!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

In 10 years I hope to be successful with a job I love and to have traveled to 20 new countries by then. And maybe just maybe be….married (scary). 

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

I will absolutely come back and visit since most of my best friends are still here, and will still be here for the next 3 yearssss *cough cough* (Anisa). And of course I have to come back to annoy John and Tori as much as I can because I know they’ll deeply miss my presence <3