Kean Idol Semifinalist Lynnsey Garlick Lights Up a Stage

You might say that Lynnsey Garlick was born to be on stage. At the very least, the stage started calling her at a very early age.

The daughter of Brian and Sherri, and a junior at , Garlick has been in plays and school productions since the time she and her parents saw Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera," at the age of three. She recalls donning a Phantom mask and singing along with the music from the CD her parents purchased for her after seeing the production.

Garlick has been active in school musicals and productions through her years in the middle school and high school. She appeared in “Little Mary Sunshine” her freshman year, “Our Town” her sophomore year and, this past fall, she played the role of Washed Up Actress in Jonathan Rand’s “.”

Her next role? She's rehearsing to play the role of Consuela, in the Peters Township High School musical “” which runs April 7-9. She will follow up that performance in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” as Betty Parris, scheduled to run May 26-28.

Garlick has appeared numerous times performing at the high school's annual coffeehouse, most recently singing “No Good Deed” from the "Wicked" Broadway soundtrack.

In addition to her busy schedule, as part of the high school Thespian Troupe #185, Garlick was a semifinalist in the Kean Idol competition to benefit St. Barnabas Charities, where she sang “Colors of the Wind” from the "Pocahontas" soundtrack. She competes in the .

Also, she will be traveling to Disney World this spring to perform with the Peters Township Chorus.

Garlick took time from her rehearsal schedule to talk with us.

Patch: You seem like you were always meant to perform on stage. What do you remember from your first performance?

Garlick: I was in third grade and I sang “Sk8er Boi" by Avril  Lavigne for a talent show. My goodness, I was so nervous when I got up there, but when I got off everyone said I didn’t look nervous at all. It was at Mt. Lebanon’s Jefferson Elementary, and I guess I’ve been singing ever since.

Patch: What do you enjoy most about acting?

Garlick: I enjoy being able to understand the character that you’re playing. I like to be able to bring that character to life and make other people learn about the character. I think you do it by the words and how you’re saying them.

Patch: You’ve had the opportunity to work with some pretty good directors —Barry Wood before, and now Jeremy Kuharcik. What have you taken away from your experience with them?

Garlick: Mr. Wood definitely taught me discipline. He taught not just me, but everybody to get everything right and convey your character well. Mr. Kuharcik taught me that it’s OK to have fun as long as it’s not distracting.

Patch: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not performing or rehearsing for a role?

Garlick: I love to read about anything. I like books on history, languages, philosophy and classics like comedies. I just like learning about a whole lot of different things so if I meet someone who is interested in that, I can be a part of their conversations.

Patch: Do you prefer musicals, drama or comedy?

Garlick: Boy, that’s a tough one to answer. I love musical theater because I love to sing and I love to be a part of all of that, but I do enjoy acting and doing drama. As I said before, just getting into that character and conveying the character well is really special. If it’s a well-written play, you can grab the audience’s attention and let them go on an emotional roller coaster.

We congratulate Garlick and wish her the best of luck. Do you know of an amazing child or teen? Read how to submit your Whiz Kid nomination .