Mia Nioyke is a four-year Senior from Methuen, Massachusetts. She has participated in theatre and the chorus for four years, performing in Mamma Mia!, Little Shop of Horrors, Into The Woods, and six black boxes. She is also co-head of Girls Who Lift, Africa Club, Calliope, and Democrats as well as a former editor at The Record. Nyoike will pursue theatre and voice at Tufts University.
What are some of your favorite HDA performances?
Mamma Mia! was one of my favorites. It shone so brightly in terms of the influence it left on the community. People still talk about how fun and lively it was. The community’s attitude after the performance was beautiful to see. To say that I took part in that was so unique.
How has the school helped you improve as a performer?
I’d like to thank Mr. Jack Brown, my voice teacher of four years, and Ms. MK Lawson, the theatre’s musical director, for helping me hone my skills. Mr. Brown is such a caring and gentle educator; the way my voice has changed in the past four years is all due to him. I enjoy where my voice is now in terms of its quality and brightness. Initially, I struggled with how loud and forceful my voice was, and he’s really helped me navigate the struggle. Without Hotchkiss, my voice wouldn’t have improved at all. Mr. Brown has made me the voice student I am. Getting classically and musically trained in voice has given me a unique perspective on what it feels like to sing well and beautifully. Ms. Lawson has helped me figure out who I am on stage. I used to try to be myself in a role and say the lines. Since I have a bright personality, it would often work. But for certain roles, I had to step out of myself and learn what it meant to be vulnerable. Ms. Lawson has helped me break out of this tendency and figure out what it is like to adopt another persona for the sake of this art.
What advice would you give to beginning performers and singers?
You will often learn something special about yourself and others when you become part of productions. When I was part of Mamma Mia!, which had a huge ensemble cast of fifty, I learned that each person is important. Choosing in certain moments to give yourself up for a greater good, like when you are creating art for the community, is so important. Resilience is an important pillar of theatre and music. Without it, it’s so hard to put in your all in a performance. I would say that although quitting is the easier option, it’s not the better option. In choir, as an upperclass student, there were times I wanted to quit, but I’m proud I didn’t and that I was able to be part of this tight-knit community. I really love the community that I have had the chance to be part of in theatre and in voice.
