She stepped onto the Day Creek Intermediate stage, hundreds of eyes on her. A spotlight shines overhead as upbeat music begins to play. She’s dedicated the past eight months to rehearsing since she was casted in a lead role, and everything has led to this moment. For seventh grader Marley M., this is a reality.

Marley was recently casted as Belle of the Rose Cast in Day Creek’s Beauty and the Beast play, but this wasn’t her first time in the limelight.

“I’ve been performing since I was seven. I’ve always loved to sing, and acting was just something that came along with it,” said Marley M. 

Marley discovered her passion for performing when she was given the opportunity to participate in a play at her local church.

“[The first show I did was] Mary Poppins. I decided I wanted to sign up for [the] junior play, and I just fell in love with [performing]. But I was so little that it was just funny to watch me do stuff,” said Marley.

However, Marley wasn’t simply given a role in the play.

“I had to audition; I had to sing a song and do a dance. And then I got called back to try out for Jane, but [the play organizers] decided that I was too young for that role since I was seven. [Instead,] I was a doll,” Marley said. 

Despite her age, Marley wasn’t afraid to be on stage and was even given her own solo.

“I was just really excited to do it and get out there. I got a solo, so the song was all mine. [It] was about the toys being mistreated by Jane and her brother,” Marley said. 

To date, Marley has performed in nine plays and musicals. She has also appeared in a few commercials including Twisty Petz, a popular jewelry toy directed towards young girls. She also works with a modeling agency.

“[I’ve been a model] since I was nine, and I have an agency for that. [I’ve also done] three commercials. So, I consider myself a model, singer and an actor,” said Marley M.

Over the years, Marley has improved and finds performing easier having had so much experience. 

“I feel a lot more confident, and I enjoy it a lot more now. Especially since I’m older and I could get a bit bigger role. It’s cool to be able to do something other than ensemble, and now more of my family comes,” Marley said.

Despite her growth, Marley still faces many obstacles in her career.

“Because I’m short and younger, I can’t get some of the huge roles. If I were to go for Captain Hook, it would be difficult because I’m very girly and tiny,” said Marley M. 

Performing has opened many doors for Marley’s social life, and allows her to meet people beyond the walls of a classroom.

“I definitely know a lot more people. I know a lot more 8th graders, and a couple of 6th graders. But I grew closer to 7th graders that I probably wouldn’t have if I wasn’t in the play,” said Marley M. “Everybody just bonded so much. We became a family.”