Whether she is an Irish widow, a teenage girl in the 1950s or a high-maintenance kangaroo, Alexa Moran never shies away from the spotlight.

This April, Moran will be assuming the role of Anna, a schoolgirl, in Act V’s production of “Spring Awakening.”

Moran explained that, while growing up, her parents encouraged her to pursue interests in all different disciplines. From trying different sports to dancing, Moran was drawn to the limelight since she was young. She said the stage feels like her home and it relaxes her.

“I was always a very dramatic person and I sang all the time,” Moran said.

Throughout elementary and middle school, Moran attended week-long theater camps at Temple University and was a member of the national Pennsylvania Youth Chorale, where she traveled to sing in Texas, Tennessee and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Shippensburg University senior Gabrielle Sheller, Moran’s co-star in “Spring Awakening,” toured around Pennsylvania with Moran through choir.

“I can always hear her [singing]. She’s an incredible soprano. She has a very positive energy and contributes a solid sound to the group,” Sheller said.

Even though Moran harbors a passion for the limelight, she overcame damaging experiences to get to where she is today. She explained how your physical appearance can be a significant factor in whether or not you are cast for a role.

“You can easily get pushed aside if you’re a little too chunky or your face isn’t perfectly defined,” she explained. “It’s hard to hear, but if you have a talent you just have to keep pushing for what you want and you will get roles.”

Chris Ericson, “Spring Awakening’s” director, said the casting committee mainly looked for three qualities while assigning roles: Acting ability, singing ability and overall personality to ensure the musical would be a positive experience for everyone.

“[Moran] had all of these qualities and then some. She’s exceptionally talented and hardworking and that was evident from her audition, so it was an easy decision to cast her,” Ericson said.

Ericson also said that Moran is the type of person to form connections with everyone involved in the play, from the other actors to the hair and makeup department to stage crew.

She also nearly doubled her workload in the musical by temporarily taking on a role of another actor who initially could not make rehearsals due to a time conflict.

Sheller described Moran as a caring and dedicated team player.

“If you seem down about a scene, or just life in general, she will approach you and ask if you are all right… She is there for the group, not for herself. She is happy to be a part of something and that shows very much,” Sheller said.

“Of everyone involved with the show, she is one of the hardest people to imagine doing it without,” Ericson added.

Moran is looking forward to performing the musical for an audience because she has not been in a musical in the last four years, which she said was a huge change for her. She also said she knew from the beginning this would be her all-time favorite role.

“I can die happy knowing I’m in ‘Spring Awakening,’” she said, beaming with starry blue eyes.

“Spring Awakening” will premiere April 21 and run until April 24. Tickets will be $5.

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