By Jessica Noll, Special Writer
Trevor Nalepka has a passion and joy for theater that is pushing him to pursue college training and a career on stage. His interest in acting and a range of musical styles has developed throughout high school.
”Trevor’s always been very serious about music,” said Hillsborough High School choir director Christine Micu, who described the senior as outstanding from the start.
Trevor said performing has become his main focus in life.
”The past four years that I have been performing (in and outside of high school) have been so concentrated,” he said.
”I started with my first musical in eighth grade,” Trevor said. He performed in stage play “Winnie the Pooh” and the musical “School House of Rock.” Trevor said the experience of the musical inspired him to participate further in theatre.
Sandra DiMeglio, his mother, said when she saw him perform in “School House of Rock” she realized he had no fear, it was so natural and so comfortable for him (to be on stage). She said it was the first time she saw him in that capacity and she was impressed with his talent from the start.
In ninth grade Trevor participated in Ms. Micus’ introductory choir class. He also played the role of Baby John in a school production of “West Side Story.” He said he loved the dancing and singing and that the music of “West Side Story” moved him.
” ‘ West Side Story’ will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Trevor. The show was the point at which he became interested in theater as a craft, according to Trevor. He said he started thinking more about the reasons behind singing a song, why the show has a specific type of dancing, and more about developing a backstory for the characters.
In his sophomore year Trevor auditioned for chorale, a program that students can repeat for up to three years. According to Ms. Micu, the benefit of the chorale is for students to have several years working together to develop their voices individually and blend them as a group.
Trevor has had years of performing experience in chorale and high school productions, including the musicals “Seusical,” “Phantom of the Opera” and this year’s “Titanic,” where he plays Harold Pride, the wireless radio operator who sent the SOS distress signal from the sinking ship. The show debuts tomorrow night.
”The character is based on the man who issued the call for help after the ship hit the iceberg,” he said, and Trevor can describe the historical background in great detail. His method is thorough and his focus complete. Trevor said he finds it exciting to find background and motives for any role he plays to make each character different on stage.
Trevor has extended his experiences further than the high school’s programs. He has been an ensemble member in shows at the Villagers Theatre in Somerset. He attended a month-long intensive musical theater course this past summer at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
”I had a few teachers that were really extraordinary in their connectedness to the students,” Trevor said. His work with the head of the program, Aaron Cromie, and graduate student mentor Kristen Norine gave him the change of environment he needed to realize he wanted to study musical theatre in college, Trevor said.
In November 2011 Trevor participated in the 63rdAnnual All-Star Opera Festival competition for high school students in Paramus. Both judges of the competition were from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City Gayletha Nichols, who is director of National Council Auditions, and baritone John Hancock.
Of 60 students, Trevor placed in the top 10 and continued on to win the competition after performing at the festival, according to Ms. Micu. He is set to receive the Governors Award at a dinner in the future.
”It was really great to have a high school student interested in opera repertoire,” said Ms. Micu. She said she believes his interest was sparked after playing the leading role of composer Amadeus Mozart in the fall 2010 production of “Amadeus.”
Trevor is currently a director on the board of the after-school student-run Glee Club, along with two of his close friends, senior Arielle Rabano and junior Emily Newton.
In the future he would like to be able to study and teach the musical elements of what makes radio music popular.
”There is something exhilarating about teaching music, especially pop music. Its not really done on the high-school level much,” said Trevor. Some of the performers he considers the vocal powerhouses of current pop music include Beyonce, Adele, John Mayer, Michael Buble and Christina Aguilera.
” What sells me on a singer is when they make something sound like it is uniquely their song,” said Trevor.
Glee Club performs a concert in June and will compete at Disney World in Florida from April 25 to May 1. Trevor said he is especially excited about this year’s lineup that includes the gritty, rock-country hit “Undone” by Natasha Bedingfield.
As for the immediate future, Trevor has auditioned at several colleges with four-year musical theater programs and is waiting for responses. He says his intention is to earn a bachelor’s degree in performance in order to have appropriate professional training for the stage.

