COLLEGIATE THEATRICS: Belmont University's Caitlyn Porayko

Caitlyn Porayko, a member of Belmont University Musical Theatre's class of 2016, has a busy holiday season ahead, to be certain - she's playing Judy Haynes in BUMT's production of White Christmas (running December 4-6) and she'll be a member of the choir backing up Broadway diva, "Nashville own" (we claimed her as one of our own in her last Nashville concert appearance at TPAC) Kristin Chenoweth, when she performs with the Nashville Symphony as Schermerhorn Symphony Center in December.

All of this will be added to a resume (if it's not already there) that includes an impressive array of credits for the Brentwood, Tennessee, native who also appeared as part of the ensemble for Belmont University's Student theatre of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (which certainly will give her plenty to talk about with Kristin), while continuing to make appearances as a princess performer for Enchanted Entertainment. But that's not all: she was Natalie in Circle Players' production of next to normal, Patty Simcox in Grease at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and the delightfully conniving Eve in Bring it On, the Musical at Arts Center of Cannon County.

In other words, Caitlyn Porayko is going places (she gets bonus points for her correct use of the word "epitome" - we have high standards here!), which makes her the perfect star for this week's Collegiate Theatrics. Here's your opportunity to get to know her better and, in the meantime, you should probably check out her website: www.caitlynporayko.com! But read about her here first...

What's it been like to be a part of Belmont's terrific musical theatre program? My time in Belmont's Musical Theatre program has been a whirlwind! To be honest, Belmont wasn't my top choice school when I was applying and auditioning back in high school. However, I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason, and Belmont has definitely proven to be where I was meant to end up. I am fortunate to have found a conservatory-style program within a Christian liberal arts school. Our program is very small and our teachers and classmates are always supportive, which is not an easy combination to find in this business. I have been given many opportunities here that I probably wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, including the chance to take a semester off to perform in Disney World! I can't imagine I would've found another school that would help me blossom not only as a performer, but also as a woman, friend, and follower of Christ.

What's been the best part of studing at Belmont? My absolute favorite part of studying at Belmont has been my classmates. I'm sure this is the answer you would get from anybody in the 2016 graduating class! Four years ago, our class had seven freshmen. We have since grown into a class of 11, and we are the epitome of "family." My time at Belmont would not have been nearly as enriching if I hadn't had some of the most supportive, wonderful, and talented people that I know alongside me throughout the journey. Without their constant love and encouragement, I don't know how I'd survive in such a challenging, cut-throat field.

Have your plans for the future changed at all while you've been in college? Well, coming from a college senior, the idea of the "future" is particularly frightening. Looking back to how I felt as a freshman, yes, my plans have definitely changed a bit. While the overall concept of performing professionally has stayed the same, I no longer measure "success" in the same way I did four years ago. I no longer see "BROADWAY" as the only form of success. I would be so happy to have any performing job after school.

Ultimately, it's hard to make "plans" because I feel like in this business you just have to wait and see what opportunities come your way. Ultimately, I'm not sure where I will end up, but I hope it will involve performing. I also have a lot of experience performing/teaching/working with kids. If nothing else, I would be thrilled to continue to direct or teach children in the arts. I also have always had the tiniest desire to be a casting director someday... Who knows what will happen?

Any particular memory stand out from your time at Belmont? There are so many to choose from! I think some of my favorite memories performing at Belmont have been our Freshman Showcase, which was in October, 2012, when our class performed together for the first time, and being a part of Oklahoma! last November. I have always had a place in my heart for classical ballet, so I really loved being a part of the Dream Ballet. I have a feeling I will soon rank White Christmas up there with some of my favorite collegiate performance memories too - I really love sharing the stage with my fabulous castmates and getting to dance and tap so much! It's really going to be a phenomenal show.

What advice would you offer to someone thinking about following your lead and studying musical theatre at Belmont? The advice that I give anyone who says they want to go into this business is the same advice that was given to me when I auditioned at Belmont. Marjorie Halbert put everyone in a room and told us "If you can see yourself happy doing anything else, do that." This advice is very blunt, but it is some of the best advice I've ever been given. This is a very taxing business to be in - it wears you down physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, etc. If you have something else that can make you happy, then go do that, because you have to dedicate your heart and soul to this craft 110% to be successful. Do what will make you happy.

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