Alumni Spotlight: Hailey Murphy
When were you involved with TAG?
I first met Willie at 6 years years old when he directed and produced hIs first show, The Wizard of Oz, at West Nyack Elementary School. I was too young to be in the show but I loved to watch the rehearsals and the finished productions and could not wait to be part of the program the next year. When I was 7 years old and entered 2nd grade, I was old enough to be part of Willie's program at WNES. I continued to do productions with Willie until 2024. After that show, I started to intern for the next 2 summer shows and then eventually started to work for his school programs! I love working at TAG with my wonderful coworkers and all of the talented performers!!
What shows were you a part of?
I played the narrator in Beauty and the Beast Jr. In 3rd Grade I played Jan in Grease JR, in 4th Grade I played Miss Hannigan in Annie JR, and in 5th Grade I played Ursula in The Little Mermaid JR. I then volunteered to help backstage and with lights for the shows my siblings did with Willie at WNES. In High School, I joined his summer program for the first time in 2024 doing Mean Girls JR! playing the part of Gretchen.
What are you up to now?
I graduated from Saddle River Day School in May of 2026 and will be starting college in the Fall. I will be attending Drew University in Madison, NJ. I will be double majoring in Theatre and Psychology as well as minoring in Musical Theatre.
What are your favorite memories of TAG?
My favorite memories I have from TAG are the connections and friendships that I made with both Co-Workers and students. The people in TAG hold a special place in my heart.
What does TAG mean to you?
TAG is a place where people can feel accepted, be valued, take risks, and be appreciated for their uniqueness and creativity.
What did you take away from your experience?
I began interning for Willie as field experience for a Gateway Honors Program centered around the Performing Arts for school. My Gateway Honors Diploma project reflected on what it really takes to successfully lead a group of kids to success through my time as an Assistant Director and Assistant Music Director for Children's theatre programs. Willie was a great role model to watch and learn from during this process.
When I first took on these roles, I thought leadership was about being confident and in charge, the person who always has the answers and gives directions. But, through the process, I learned that it is actually about softness. It is about being gentle, kind, patient, and understanding and learning that people respond best when they feel supported, not controlled.
Working with younger students showed me how much of leadership is emotional - noticing when someone feels left out, knowing how to calm nerves before a performance, or finding the right words to encourage someone who is frustrated. I realized that being a strong leader does not always mean being loud or authoritative. Sometimes it means being calm, steady, and quietly reassuring. There were plenty of moments where things did not go perfectly - when my students lost focus, scenes fell apart, or the music did not click. But instead of getting frustrated, I learned to slow down and meet people where they were. Watching the kids grow in confidence and joy reminded me that kindness and patience go so much farther than pressure or perfection. This experience changed the way I see leadership. It is not about being the boss, it is about creating a space where everyone feels seen and safe enough to shine. Through my Gateway Honors Diploma process, I learned that softness is not weakness. It is actually one of the strongest things you can lead with.