Going outside comfort zone wins Chartiers Valley actor Gene Kelly honor
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Samuel Kagle is sure his performance of “I Could Be That Guy” during Chartiers Valley’s spring musical “Sister Act” helped him stand out.
Portraying Eddie Souther, Kagle switched to a deep, almost Barry White-like voice mid-song and quick changed into a white disco suit then into a policeman uniform, all while on stage.
“It was a sight to behold,” Kagle, 16, said of the disco suit, which included bell bottoms.
His performance earned Kagle the best supporting actor recognition during the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater on May 25.
The Gene Kelly Awards, patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards, are in their 29th year. They aim to recognize and encourage student achievement and emphasize the importance of musical theater and arts education.
For Kagle, a junior, the win still is sinking in. He was one of six students from across the region nominated for the award.
“It was definitely amazing, especially being with the other supporting nominees,” Kagle said of the experience.
The nomination alone provided Kagle with the opportunity to connect “with like-minded people,” he said. He joined his fellow nominees in the award show’s opening number at the Benedum Center.
Kim Giffin, director, producer and choreographer of “Sister Act,” called Kagle an intellectual who always analyzes his roles. He asks questions and thinks about every little detail.
“It was an unbelievable accomplishment,” she said of his win. “It leaves me speechless.”
Kagle started acting in musicals at Chartiers Valley in seventh grade.
People told him he should participate, but it wasn’t until a teacher actually led him to the middle school director’s room that he delved into theater.
“I was definitely more hesitant to try new things than I am now,” Kagle said. “I just needed that extra push.”
He’s been involved with musical theater ever since. He also participates in the fall drama each year.
This year, playing Souther was bit more challenging than other roles he’s held in the past, Kagle said.
“Eddie is sort of laid back but he has that desire to take the stage, which I was able to connect with,” Kagle said.
“Eddie’s just generally well meaning, even if he is awkward, which I definitely think is me.”
Portraying Souther helped Kagle to get out of his comfort zone. He had to dance, which he doesn’t normally do.
Kagle, who hopes to go into a career in physics, also wants to continue acting. Participating in the Gene Kelly Awards helped him gain advice about the industry in Pittsburgh, he said.
But the award is about more than that.
“It means for me that I’ve gotten to a point in my acting that I’m happy with how it looks,” he said. “The award just confirms for me that I’ve gotten to that point.”
“Sister Act” also was nominated for Gene Kelly awards in best lighting design in budget level two, which went to Moon’s “Mamma Mia!”
Chartiers Valley student Kaylee Skumburdes was nominated for the best supporting actress award for her role as Sister Mary Patrick in the show. That award went to Rhiannon Passmore from Pittsburgh CAPA for her role as Sister Mary Lazarus in their production of “Sister Act.”
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story has been updated with the correct spelling of Samuel Kagle’s name.