I knew I wanted to be a performer the first time my parents took me to Disney World at four years old, and I gazed up at the spectacular castle show in the Magic Kingdom. I remember turning to my mom and asking incredulously, “You can do THAT as a JOB?!” I was shy, the only artistic type in my family, and totally clueless as to how to make this fantasy a reality in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The passion swelled, but my dream seemed intangible.
My childhood was interrupted at age twelve when I was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia and began chemotherapy. The battle I fought (and won) with cancer was grueling and lonely, but it shaped me into a highly empathetic, uninhibited human being with a wisened soul. This new lease on life made me ferociously ambitious in pursuing what had always made my heart flutter, theatre. I landed my first leading role the year I went back to school after treatment, as Miss Adelaide in my 8th grade production of Guys & Dolls, and went on to earn a B.A. in Theatre & Music from Muhlenberg College and star in more productions along the way.
After moving to New York City post-college, I quickly found a niche in children’s theatre, playing beloved characters like Junie B. Jones and Chronicles of Narnia’s Lucy. One of those incredible “full circle” opportunities came in 2016, when I was relocated to Orlando, Florida to play Nemo in Disney’s Finding Nemo - The Musical. You can’t imagine the goosebumps I got stepping onto that Disney stage for the first time - four year old Lana would have been blown away! I spent three years in Orlando performing full time in multiple shows at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and even sang live with Mannheim Steamroller in concert. I completed over three thousand performances of Finding Nemo the Musical in both the leading role and in my other track, the stunt role of Squirt. I got to step into the world of Disney Junior, experience the magic of Hogwarts and help the Grinch find Christmas all at once!
Now, I’m back in New York City armed with experience, inspiration, and drive. Bring it on!