Janie Gayle
Janie Gayle started her love of the stage with kinder-music lessons at school when she was 5. She began acting a few years later when she was 7 or 8.
“I started at Barter Youth Academy at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. This is where I really learned everything I know. I did BYA in Abingdon for a few years and then started doing one in Bristol, Virginia.
“The thing that really interests me the most about performing is the feeling of being complete. Which sounds silly, I know. For me, theater is an escape. It’s an escape from reality where I can show off everything I’ve worked years to improve.
“I’ve performed at many different theaters. My favorites would have to be The Paramount, Theatre Bristol, and the Smith Stage at Barter Theatre. I’ve also performed at John S. Battle High School, UVA Wise, The Cameo Theatre and the Gilliam Stage at Barter Theatre.
“As of right now, the only thing I have coming up is a spring concert with my voice teacher, Julia Barker. I’ve been trying to figure out where I may want to go to college and I’ve been focusing on school and my friends and family, so I haven’t been auditioning for anything. I’m hoping I’ll be able to find a show to audition for soon,” Janie says.
Her favorite role is Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” at John S. Battle High School. This is her most recent role, but it quickly moved its way to the top of her list.
“Audrey has been a dream role of mine for a couple years now, and when I found out that I would get to play her, I couldn’t believe it. I went into the auditions confident, but not cocky, yet there was still that small doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t get the role, so I decided it was best not to get my hopes up.
“My co-star, Zach Poe, originally wasn’t going to audition for the show. However, after some convincing and begging, he finally agreed to audition for the lead role, Seymour Krelborn. He auditioned after me, and right before our auditions we went into one of the practice rooms and sang through Audrey and Seymour’s song, ‘Suddenly Seymour,’ together. I guess that this was the extra bit of luck we both needed, because when the cast list came out a week later, we had gotten the lead roles. The show was a dream for me, and it was so fun to work with Zach and everyone else in the cast and crew,” Janie says.
Her favorite musicals are “Newsies,” “Mean Girls,” “Beetlejuice” and ‘Hamilton.” These shows have Janie’s other dream roles in them.
“I’ve loved these shows since I first heard about them. I’ve only seen ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway, but that was enough for me. It was so incredible to be able to hear the music and see the set and actors in person. We even got to meet some of the cast after the show which was so surreal to me. The most memorable actor that I got to meet was Miguel Cervantes, who played Alexander Hamilton. He was so kind, and it was such a blessing to get to meet real Broadway actors.
“Theater means the world to me. I’ve loved theater since the very first time I was on stage. The art of singing and acting has gotten me through more than I could even begin to say. I’ve recently started writing my own original music, since I don’t have anything else theater related going on.
“I’ve met some of the most amazing people through theater, and I wouldn’t have half of the friends that I have now if I hadn’t done theater, especially the past couple years of high school. Like I mentioned before, theater is an escape for me. It’s an escape from reality where I can just be myself and show off my skills. I know that I want to continue theater for a very long time,” she says.
Janie hopes to have a professional life on stage after she graduates from John S. Battle High School, Bristol, Virginia. She is looking for theater colleges. Although she doesn’t have a set plan yet, she hopes to go to college in New York City. Her dream school is The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She wants to learn more about auditioning and dance so that she can eventually audition for some Broadway shows. Her dream has been to be on Broadway for years now, and she is hoping to eventually fulfill that dream.
She is the daughter of Martha Bowman and Al Gayle.
