The first time I saw Hailey was on stage. I was having dinner with some clients and they had mentioned that they were going to the high school to see "Zombie Prom" as a mutual friend was one of the lead performers. On a whim, I went too. Being that I hadn't gone to a performance prior to that night (why I hadn't is still beyond me) I had no idea where to go. My five-year old and I accidentally went in the wrong door and were met by sounds of bodies slamming into boards, metal scraping on ice, airhorns, and announcers play-by-playing on the overhead. The energy and excitement in that arena were compelling us to stay. We hesitated for a moment, but forced ourselves out the door.
We made our way down to the second row. I had no idea what I was in for. I hadn't seen a high school play since I was in high school. Right now as I write I am getting goosebumps thinking back on that night from a couple of months ago (December 2016). The show completely blew me out of whatever fairy-tale delusion I was living in. High school kids have incredible talent! I remember looking around hoping that someone was professionally filming this because I felt that the world had to see it. She has a powerful vocal presence housed within a humble young lady. When she is in character, she does not hold back with those chords. But .... in a shared spotlight situation when the success of the verse or song, the scene, or perhaps the entire play depends on being able to take cues from another and fall into sync, Hailey is able to harmonize beautifully. It's no wonder that she was the female lead in this play!
Remember when in the beginning when I said that I felt pulled by the allure of that hockey game? I learned that Hailey has a twin sister who is a hockey star. I cannot imagine how torn I would be as a parent if these girls had an event at the same time on the same day! Hats off to their parents ... If that WAS my life, it would be like those movie scenes where a guy/girl is double booked on dates at the same restaurant with two different dates (let's say one is his girl and one is his mom) and he keeps finding excuses to leave and goes dipping into the bathroom to change one thing about himself between swapping tables. Then, ultimately forgets to change his glasses or bowtie and then everything goes awry. Well, my point is that it'd be hard to have to choose and I'd want to do both at the same time.
Though my life is no stranger to problems, I can count my blessings that that is not one of them! Hats off to your parents, Hailey!
Hailey is a beautiful girl with a bright future ahead of her. You watch, she will be wowing us all from Broadway. Hey, since I've not yet been .... maybe she'll be my first Broadway play too!
I asked Hailey what her favorite musical was, and she said, "The Color Purple." So, naturally I had to go and check it out on iTunes. The most popular song on the Broadway soundtrack is called "I'm Here" sung by Cynthia Evro (2015 recording). This excerpt of the song captures Hailey perfectly.
“I’m gonna sing out...Sing out.
I believe i have inside of me.
Everything that i need to live a bountiful life.
With all the love alive in me
I'll stand as tall as the tallest tree.
And I'm thankful for everyday that i'm given,
Both the easy and hard ones i'm livin'.
But most of all I'm thankful for
Loving who I really am.
I'm beautiful.
Yes, I'm beautiful,
And I'm here.”