Artist of the Month: Lainey Costabile

When the curtain closed on “Our Town,” Lainey Costabile (12) walked offstage as Rebecca Gibbs, unaware that she walked straight into the most defining moment in her life. From the wings, she watched Emily Webb’s ghost relive her twelfth birthday, aching as no one seemed to savor the present.

“The performance awed me,” Costabile said. “I paused my mind and let my senses play the role of a character. Her sadness fueled my own, and in my eyes, time stopped for a moment, and I fell in love with theatre.”

That passion carried her far. This September, Costabile was named Artist of the Month, a recognition of her artistry, dedication and leadership as president of the TP Players.

Lainey credits Broadway icons Eva Noblezada and Rachel Zegler for sparking her interest in the performing arts.

“I was drawn to their performances because both actresses enunciated well with strong diction and vocals colored with emotion and nuance,” Costabile said. “I use their performances as inspiration for my own, and look up to both women as models of charisma and stardom.”

Though she started theatre with great ambitions, the school’s acting program helped her discover more than she expected.

“I’ve actually been a lighting designer for more shows than I have been an actor,” Costabile said. “Learning different aspects of production gave me a holistic appreciation for theatre beyond just performance.”

To Costabile, preparing for a role means more than line memorization.

“Acting requires studying the life of a character and … their past and present impacts the way they act, talk, move and express themselves,” Costabile said.

While the work is serious, the TP Players know how to keep spirits high. From their warm-up chant, “To Sit in Solemn Silence,” to late-night Denny’s runs after opening nights, their traditions bind cast and crew together. Still, Costabile is quick to note that “convincingly embodying another person takes more than practice; it requires an understanding of human nature.”

As president of the Players, Costabile has her eyes set on growth. Working with the new director, Sandra Geminiani, she hopes to raise the program’s visibility across campus.

“We’re aiming to be part of pep rallies, Falcon Vision and The Falconer,” Costabile said. “It is all about making sure people know what we are doing and why it matters.”

She also dreams of bringing the art community closer together.

“Theatre is mixed media,” Costabile said. “The workshop class could help with set building, the painting class with design. It is about making theatre bigger and more collaborative at our school.”

More than anything, she wanted younger students to take away something deeper than stardom.

“With time, I found a deeper understanding of theatre in storytelling, reflection and self-expression,” Costabile said. “I hope underclassmen learn to appreciate the art from that perspective.”

Though Costabile shines on stage, her sights are set on storytelling in many forms.

“I am applying to film and screenwriting programs,” Costabile said. “I love acting, but I also found a passion for understanding humanity and society through writing and directing. That is where I see my future.”

For now, she continues to balance leadership and performance at the school, bringing stories to life and inspiring others to do the same.