Alumni Spotlight: Sophia Lange
When were you involved with TAG?
I have been with TAG since 2013. I met Willie when he was directing shows at my middle school. After my positive experience there, I decided to try the summer program, and the rest is history. I was a camper for many years until I aged out, but I have been lucky enough to continue to participate in shows as a counselor!
What shows were you a part of?
Some of my favorite roles on stage with TAG include Into the Woods (Baker's Wife), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), Footloose (Vi), School of Rock (Rosalie), and The Wiz (Scarecrow). Since aging out of the program in 2018, I have participated in over 20 productions as a counselor, playing roles such as choreographer, assistant director, director, costumer, music director, and stage crew.
What are you up to now?
Recently I graduated from Rutgers University with a double degree in music education and performance. When I was there I studied classical/instrumental music and was very involved in the university marching band, taking on multiple leadership roles. Although I did not pursue theater full time, I was surrounded by music every day, and I had the occasional chance to participate in the pit orchestra in student run theater productions. Today I am an elementary music teacher in Bergen County! I love being able to embrace my love for music every day, and share that light with my students.
What are your favorite memories of TAG?
My favorite memories are from my days as a camper. It was amazing having a tight knit group of friends to perform in shows with and just to have fun with. I would spend afternoons after camp with my sister Abby (also a TAG alum), running lines for hours. It brought us closer together and strengthened our bond as sisters. Back then there were only two summer shows and no fall/winter shows, so our friend group would get together during the school year and count the days down until camp started up again in the summer. I also just love performing. There's such a thrill in working hard at something and then being able to share that with other people. I love being a counselor, but nothing beats the feeling of getting on stage.
What does TAG mean to you?
I have been with TAG for more than half of my life. It has always been a safe place to turn to where I can leave my worries at the door. It has played a major role in shaping who I am today, and it is one of the main reasons that I had the courage to pursue a career in the arts. It's also the place where I learned to be a leader, which is a field I have flourished in ever since. My life would be dull without TAG in my life.
What did you take away from your experience?
I have grown in confidence, and most of all I have gained the most amazing found family. The main thing I took away was that you can do absolutely anything that you put your mind to. I carry many of the lessons I have learned at TAG with me in my daily life, and I try to share that same knowledge with my students. I am so happy to see how the program has evolved since I started - so many kids have found their voice through TAG.