Lucy Beal is a dedicated and talented Athens Drive senior who has discovered her true passion for acting. For her, acting is not just a hobby, it is a way of expressing herself, connecting with others, and growing as a performer.
“Acting allows me to show a side of myself that I normally don’t,” said Beal. “I’m a pretty quiet person at first, and acting just allows me to show a different side of myself and bring out my artistic side because I love art and I love performing.”
Whether on stage or in the art studio, Beal constantly seeks to find creative ways to express her emotions and ideas. Her journey in theater began when she was a freshman where she was working backstage. But she knew she always wanted to perform.
“I knew I wanted to perform on stage, so I pushed myself to do it sophomore year…I’ve been in the cast ever since,” said Beal.
Two of Beal’s favorite roles are Ariel and Ken. Ariel is one of the recent roles she got from an upcoming production called “Under the Sea.” Ken is from a musical her honors Theater class is producing called “Barbie Like in the Dreamhouse.”
“Playing Ariel has been amazing because I love Disney. Being able to play a Disney princess has been a dream. And playing Ken was so much fun because it’s such a contrast from Ariel. It’s been great to show what I can do in both roles,” said Beal.
While the demands of theater can sometimes be overwhelming, Beal has learned how to balance schoolwork, rehearsals, and other commitments. Beal understands the importance of staying organized and prioritizing her time effectively as she does all her work with dedication.
“She is a hard worker and a leader in our yearbook class. Beal is one of the two editors, and she really cares about her work. She is also very encouraging to everyone in the class,” said Keith McGirt, who teaches Yearbook and Adobe Visual Design at Athens.
Her focus and organization help her succeed in both school and the arts. McGirtt praised her as a hardworking leader. McGirt admires Beal’s kindness and motivation.
“She’s into what she’s doing, and she does it well. She’s a very involved student here at school, and she’s been a real pleasure to work with,” said McGirt.
As Beal prepares for college, art is a big part of her future plans. That determination took her from backstage to the spotlight and helped her become a leader in the yearbook class.
“Right now, my top choices are NC State and UNCW,” she said. “I plan on majoring in studio art at both schools, but if I go to UNCW, I will probably double major in studio art and either musical theater or film studies.”
When asked to describe herself, Beal highlighted one key trait: her creativity. Her story is one of hard work and a deep love for the arts. Whether she is performing as a Disney princess or designing a yearbook page, she puts in the most effort. As she continues to pursue her dreams, the spotlight is sure to remain on her.
“When I know I want something, I will work to get it,” Beal said.
