By Naomi Kruh
Staff Writer
Dedicated to her passion for singing and acting, junior Julia Mcdermott has begun her steps toward fulfilling her dream of becoming an A-list actress and Broadway star by being selected into the YoungArts program.
Mcdermott was named a 2014 National YoungArts Finalist in Theater and Musical Theater, enabling her to attend the week-long YoungArts program in Florida in January. According to the National YoungArts Foundation, the program helps guide those with a passion for all mediums of art toward their goals for their future.
“We are so thrilled that Julia is a finalist for YoungArts and will participate in YoungArts Week,” Mcdermott’s mother, Anne Marie Mcdermott, said. “It is a great accomplishment for her, and we could not be more proud.”
Each year, thousands of students apply to be a part of the YoungArts program, but only about 170 are selected. Mcdermott sent a video of herself singing “Murder He Says” from Happy Go Lucky and a one-minute monologue from “The Crucible” to be nominated for the program.
“I feel so grateful and elated to be given this opportunity,” Mcdermott said. “When you make it as a finalist in this program, you have an opportunity to work with professionals in the field and can also earn huge amounts of scholarship money.”
This year, Mcdermott was also a 2013 National Finalist for Musical Theater in the Classical Singers competition and won first place at the 2013 Fullerton Convention for having the Best Musical Scene for Costa Drama’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
“She is so passionate about theatre, and she radiates on the stage,” senior Estefania Freire said. “She puts one hundred percent into every single character she plays, and you can tell she loves everything that she’s doing.”
Mcdermott recently began teaching musical theater to young kids at 5th Row Center in Manhattan Beach, through improvisation and vocal training, every week.
“Acting and singing allows me to distract people from their reality,” Mcdermott said. “I hope to make an impact on someone’s life, change someone’s opinion or tattoo someone’s memory with joy.”
Mcdermott began her musical theatre career when she started performing in the premiere youth theater company, Belasco Theatre Company, at the age of eight, where she starred in productions ranging from “The Wiz,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Oliver.” Since then, the stage has become a place where she can make an impact on others while doing something she loves.
“Performing is an artistic outlet that allows me to express myself,” Mcdermott said.
After performing with the Belasco Theatre Company for four years, Mcdermott decided to take some time off from performing. During her time off, Mcdermott took voice and acting lessons in order to build upon her skills for future productions.
“Julia is an extraordinary performer and the type of child who always goes that extra yard to accomplish her goals,” Mcdermott’s vocal coach, Julia Gregory, said. “She is a hard worker and has such a lovely, teachable spirit. She is open-minded and willing to try anything. I hope to guide Julia in achieving her dream of performing on Broadway.”
As a member of the Mira Costa Drama Department since her freshman year, Mcdermott has had a role in every drama production since, including lead roles in “You Can’t Take it With You, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and Costa’s most recent production, “The Crucible.” Mcdermott plans to audition for a role in Costa’s upcoming spring production of “Peter Pan.”
“My favorite role that Julia has played was Abigail in ‘The Crucible,’” Freire said. “It was so different than anything I have ever seen her do, and she was absolutely amazing. She proved herself as a versatile performer.”
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