By Leigha Hougland
For The Salisbury Post
The art of performing is not a talent that comes easily to many. However, your odds of becoming a great talent are probably better when you have one parent who’s an opera singer and another who’s a Radio City Music Hall dancer.
The daughter of Robert and Wendy Weant, Ginny Weant is a 15-year-old sophomore at Salisbury High School. She has a life goal that is unusual for most teenagers her age: being a star on Broadway.
An obvious talent, Ginny first performed in a ballet recital at the age of 3.
“I knew that I always wanted to perform,” Ginny says.
Ginny has participated in one Catawba play, “Godspell,” and 13 Piedmont Players productions, both the regular productions and the youth productions.
Ginny says her favorite plays are “The Taming of the Shrew” and ‘”The Hobbit.”
She has recently participated in the musical production of “Junie B. Jones” and has just finished performing in “As You Like it.”
Although her performance history is impressive for someone her age, Ginny admits that she still gets nervous before each performance.
“It is so hard to get rid of butterflies,” Ginny explains with shy laughter. “I can do it as long as I just get it out.”
A performer’s schedule can be very demanding. From school to play practice and then to dance lessons, Ginny rarely has time to rest. She admits to having to stay up late many nights in order to finish her school work, but adds that she doesn’t mind.
With a goal as large as Broadway, Ginny knows the steps to getting there are many. As a result, she’s deeply involved in many activities.
Ginny has been taking piano and voice lessons for 10 years. She has had the opportunity to sing with her church’s choir, something for which she is grateful. She also participates in the Piedmont Players’ drama camp. Other experiences include a summer program at the North Carolina School of the Arts, state honors chorus and an upcoming tour with Sound of America.
Ginny is especially thrilled about her European tour with the Sound of America youth choir and band. The tour includes performances in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Luxembourg, and France.
“I am excited about going to new countries, and to meet new people.” Ginny says.
Ginny knows how much work is ahead of her in order to achieve her dream. She is in the process of auditioning and applying for the North Carolina School of the Arts vocal program, where she hopes to finish up her high school career. Ginny hopes to attend college in New York, at either Juilliard or New York University.
Ginny credits a lot of her growth to her life in performance.
“Performing helps break down the walls that most people put up,” she says.
No doubt, Ginny plans to succeed. Not only is she laying the groundwork, but she is filled with passion and determination.
Ginny enjoys stepping into different characters.
“It is so much fun being something different,” she says. “I just love making people laugh.”
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Leigha Hougland, a senior at Salisbury High School, is a Post intern.