Page 4 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Dec 7, 2022

4 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK DECEMBER 7, 2022
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK COVER STORY
Lauren Teruya remem- bers downing a con- coction of Worces- tershire sauce and a raw egg to cure a fictitious hangover during her ambitious audi- tion to play Sally Bowles during Diamond Head The- atre’s production of Cab- aret. At just 14, she didn’t get the part, though she was
STORY BY NICOLE MONTON
named the understudy.
“I thought she (actress Liza Minnelli, who plays Sally Bowles in the 1972 film) really did it on stage, so I went all in,” recalls the reigning Miss Hawai‘i 2022 with a laugh. “It’s a bit of a risqué role for a 14-year-old but I wanted so badly to be Sally Bowles. I did all the
// PHOTO BY ANTHONY CONSILLIO
the way to her Miss Hawai‘i win. She grew up in the world of thespians, starting with Diamond Head Theatre’s Shooting Stars program at age 9. It took her three years and seven auditions to finally land her first role — part of the ensemble of Cinderella — and as they say, the rest is history. One year, she even
homework: read and reread all the scripts, watched the movies, even the Alan Cum- mings version.”
Coast to compete for the ti- tle of Miss America 2023. Plus, she’ll finally have her opportunity to play Bowles on stage when she performs the iconic role for the talent portion of the competition.
did four shows in a season (of which there are only six).
That dedication shows not only her commitment to the task at hand but also her willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve her goal. Those traits will serve her well as she flies to the East
Being on the big stage is nothing new for the ‘Iolani School alumna, who also sang a Broadway number on
“I was addicted,” she says. “I loved the stage. I would go to school, doing my home- work right after for three to four hours, and get to the the- ater in the evening to prac- tice from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 2-6 p.m.
Prior to leaving for the Miss America 2023 pageant
in Connecticut, Miss Hawai‘i Lauren Teruya reflects on how the performing arts have positively impacted her life.
SEE PAGE 5