Senior Kallista Schneiderman was just three years old when she mastered the role of the “pink fish” in the production of Finding Nemo.

“My mom has always been a theater teacher. So naturally, at the first chance she got, she signed my sister and I up for classes. I tried it [theater], loved it, and have been obsessed with performing from that point on,” Schneiderman said. 

Her career in theater kicked off from there. Month after month in elementary school, Schneiderman rehearsed and performed, and she has never been a stranger to the stage. She tried other activites—soccer and gymnastics—but nothing stuck.

“I showed up to gymnastics and I couldn’t do a handstand, so they told me I should find another hobby. Theater was there waiting for me. I’ve always loved it, it has always been a constant in my life,” Schneiderman said. “In elementary school, I would have rehearsals and performances on the weekends. If I was having a bad week I would always reassure myself that it’s okay because I got to go to acting on Sunday! It motivated me and has always given me a place to feel happy and good about myself.”

From the beginning, it has always been the arts and stage performing that have drawn her in. 

“When I was six, I used to go down a list of what I wanted to do when I grew up. It was always actress, singer, model, dancer. It was always artsy—I’ve just always known theater was my thing,” Schneiderman said.

Schneiderman spent nine years working on her craft as an actress at multiple local companies, most notably, Citadel Theater. When not performing in shows outside of school, she participated in plays and musicals at her old middle school. However, after moving to Lake Forest in 7th grade, she “wasn’t feeling it anymore.”

This change of heart was quickly turned around when COVID came. Schneiderman didn’t have much to do at that time so she fell in love with it all over again and couldn’t wait to do the high school productions. 

“I met Kallista the summer before her freshman year in the Senior Directed One Acts. She showed up as a freshman ready to go. That best describes Kallista in everything she does theater-wise. She is just ready to go. She takes the stage by storm and lays it all out there and it is amazing,” Director Sara Dreiling said. “It was amazing to see her do this as a freshman and continue to do that in every single show she has been in. She’s just spectacular.”

Schneiderman has been involved in every LFHS play and musical that has been available to her these past four years, whether it’s student directing or acting. Her confidence, professionalism, and commitment have consistently set her apart. 

“She has always been a risk taker on stage. She is willing to try character choice and line delivery multiple ways.The creative choices have gotten bigger over the years but more where we want them to be,” Dreiling said. 

But Schneiderman doesn’t perform just for the sake of performing. She does it and makes a difference for the others involved, and for the audience lucky enough to watch. 

“She gets into rehearsal and knows exactly what she is doing. She has already thought about character choices. But at the same time, she has fun and makes it fun for everyone else,” Dreiling said. 

When it comes to acting, there are different levels of professionalism and realism to present to the audience. 

“Kallista has clearly studied acting a lot, in and out of school. There are highly trained actors that are on the stage and you know they are because of the choices they make and the things they do. Then there are highly trained actors who make it seem effortless, where you don’t see every choice they’re making—and that’s where Kallista is. She makes it seem like you’re not acting on stage. Watching her grow and develop that over the past four years has been very impressive,” Dreiling said. 

Schneiderman excels at perfecting her own craft, but over the years she has also “gotten out of her head” to make her a more “conscious actress.” 

This past fall, she was a director for the Senior Directed One Acts with senior Katie May Newman where they wrote their own script.

“Her script was hilarious and bizarre, but it captured some beautiful moments. On top of that, she was able to introduce incoming freshmen to the theater program and the school. Just time after time, she takes up every chance to work with younger students and get them excited about the show,” Dreiling said. 

And in return, the younger students look up to Kallista and her remarkable talent. 

“I met Kallista in 2022, she has been a great friend and mentor to me ever since. She is the hardest worker I know and she will never back down from a challenge,” sophomore Nico Caputo said.

Not only does she have connections with the fellow actors on stage, but she thrives on the strong connection with the audience.

“It is just so powerful to do a show and see elicit reactions from the audience. It is such a powerful feeling to see my character bring out an emotion in the viewer,” Schneiderman said. 

Others on stage also love sharing the spotlight with Kallista in return.

“I love acting on stage with my best friend. She maintains a perfect balance of working hard and having fun,” senior Nora Sharman said. 

The power she brings to stun the stage and audience does not just come on its own…Schneiderman has different prep work for varying roles. 

“For every single role she takes on, she has done all this back work before she even gets to rehearsal. For example, she played Babette in Babettes Feast. She did all this historical research on who the french character was, she was working on a dialect coach outside of school to master the french accent. On top of that, she was traveling for college auditions. It is just so impressive she is able to do all of this,” said Dreiling. 

Schneiderman’s favorite role she has played was the lead role of Corie in Barefoot in the Park last year. She describes it as the “most intense but most fun role” she has ever played. 

Director Dreiling also has fond memories of Kallista stealing the show. 

“She was so sick going into the performance to the point she was backstage drinking water and honey to coat her throat enough that she could go back on stage and deliver lines without losing her voice. Yet again, she nailed it. That kinda goes to show her commitment. How far she is willing to go and to problem solve,” Dreiling said.  

Schneiderman has spent an exceptional four-year-run shining on the stage of the Richard Moore Auditorium. Thankfully, she is not putting her talent aside. Schneiderman is set to attend University of Southern California next fall, where she will be working towards a degree in Acting. 

“Acting has always been a place where I have had a home. It has always been a given to me to study theater in college. Since three years old, I knew this was my passion so I cannot wait to fulfill my dream of taking it to the next level,” Schneiderman said.