Andrew Atondo, an 8 year old Stagelighter, began starring on YouTube when he was just 3 years old. Andrew has been featured in, filmed, or has co-written over 200 episodes over the years. And with almost half a million subscribers on his channel “Andrew’s Toy Channel,” his YouTube work keeps him pretty busy! We caught up with Andrew to ask him more about this exciting work he does.

SPA: What got you started doing YouTube?

AA: Well, when I was a little boy, I watched some YouTube channels and always wanted one of my own. I really wanted a channel, so my mom finally gave me one. It was a dream when I started doing my first couple of videos.

SPA: What is your favorite thing about having a YouTube channel?

AA: My favorite thing is making kids happy!

SPA: Which episode has been your favorite?

AA: Well, I cannot lie, it is the cute Ninja Turtle eggs. There are lots of toys, and I want kids to see what toys are out there. I also got a limited edition one.

SPA: What do you want to be when you grow up?

AA: That’s a really tough question. But I want to be a YouTuber!

Ella Caraway and Eli Tafoya represent two of the small selection of students who got accepted into OCSA for the next school year. Both of these young stars will be studying Musical Theatre at the brand new OCSA campus in the fall. We chatted with them about the audition process and their excitement for their futures.

SPA: Ella, what was the most challenging part of the audition process?

EC: The most difficult part was the audition, going in by myself, because I’ve never done such a serious audition before. It was really nerve-racking.

SPA: Was there anything in your Stagelight classes that helped you prepare specifically for that audition?

EC: Yeah, the technique of learning a monologe correctly and singing technically correct!

SPA: Eli, do you know how many people auditioned?

ET: I don’t, but there were only 30 spots available when I auditioned!

SPA: What are you most excited about when thinking about your future at OCSA?

ET: I’m most excited about being at a school where I can study what I love and become a better performer.

These two Stagelighters are off to a bright future, and we are so proud of both of them!

Cadence Lusinsky has been a student at Stagelight Performing Arts for three years, and she has participated in numerous Stagelight Family Productions’ shows. She is now embarking on a new journey: college! Cadence will be attending Cal State Long Beach as a film major. We wanted to hear all about Cadence’s thoughts on her new adventure:

SPA: What interests you most about studying film?

CL: I love how film allows people to tell stories and connect with one another. I feel like it’s a creative way of learning who we all are. Film allows you to see things from different perspectives. Then you can use those perspectives to make sense of things in the real world and in your own life. I think it’s such an incredible process!

SPA: What types of activities or programs were you a part of in high school that encouraged you to become a film major in college?

CL: I was really involved in theatre. I was in my school’s theatre program for all four years, and I did shows with Stagelight Family Productions. Theatre played a huge role in my decision to study film, because it taught me to appreciate art as a way of communication. On stage, everything from the way you speak and move to the sets and lighting become pieces of art that help tell a story.

SPA: How did your training at Stagelight help you in your pursuit of attending college?

CL: Training at Stagelight has helped me realize that hard work really does pay off. By putting in time and effort, I’ve seen myself grow as a performer. I’ve come to know the importance of perseverance. I’m certain that this sense of endurance will help me throughout college.

We are so proud of you, Cadence!