Tarini Pankanti

Grade: 10th

Years performing: 6 

Future College: undecided 

Future Job: lawyer

Wingspan: What made you choose theater?

Pankanti: “Ever since I was young, I have always loved theatre, whether it be performing myself or watching others perform. I would constantly watch actors belt a high note and observe the meticulous expressions that they managed to bewilder at the same time. I always knew that expressing myself artistically was how I felt most at home, and nothing makes me happier than knowing I could move others through my performance.

Wingspan: What is the most important thing you’ve learned from theater?

Pankanti: “The most important thing I have learned from theatre is to have confidence and faith in yourself. If you don’t believe that you are good enough for the role that you want, the audience and casting director won’t either. This has definitely also translated to other parts of my life outside of theatre as well.”

Wingspan: What was the biggest audience you’ve performed for?

Pankanti: “The biggest audience I have performed for was around 400 people.”

Wingspan: What is your acting style?

Pankanti: “My acting style is definitely dramatic. I love getting to be vulnerable on stage and communicate the feelings that characters often struggle to understand and be open about. I also  enjoy doing big facial expressions and reactions in an over-exaggerated manner.”

Wingspan: What’s been your favorite show?

Pankanti: “My favorite show I ever did was Beauty and the Beast. It was a cast full of such wonderful and talented people, and I really enjoyed the way our director let us be a part of the creative process by creating our own choreography or blocking.”

Wingspan: What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

Pankanti: “I believe that some of my strengths are staying in character, and being energetic as well as entertaining on stage. One thing I have always lived by is that regardless of whether you are the leading role or Tree #2, you have to react to what is happening on stage and be engaged. On the other hand, I believe that some of my weaknesses are letting nerves get the best of me in an audition setting or forgetting to involve my entire body in my reactions or movement onstage.”

Wingspan: Out of all the characters you’ve portrayed, which one has been the most difficult? Why?

Pankanti: “My most difficult character to portray was the Matchmaker in Mulan. It was a role that required me to take on a more sophisticated and traditional role, which varies greatly from the bubbly and ingenue characters that I usually play. Additionally, I played multiple roles in Mulan, and had several quick changes, which were quite difficult, but after practice, I was able to perfect. Even though I initially struggled with this role, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity, as I feel I have grown significantly as an actor from it.”

Wingspan: When you mess up on stage, how do you play it off?

Pankanti: “One of the most important rules of messing up onstage is making sure that you are still in character. As actors, we tend to be major perfectionists and very hard on ourselves, but it’s important that we don’t let a small mistake throw off our performance throughout the entire show. If I mess up on stage I tell myself that it is now my responsibility to make the rest of the show my absolute best. I try to go above and beyond to the extent that if the audience did catch my mistakes, they have completely forgotten about it by the end of the show.”

Wingspan: When you are not on stage, what are you doing?

Pankanti: “Outside of theatre, I am also really passionate about public speaking, frequently participating in debate competitions such as Youth and Government, and serving as the Debate Director for Junior State of America. In addition, I truly enjoy giving back as well as helping those in need, and serve as the Community Building Chair for Liberty’s chapter of UNICEF. I love to spend time with people close to me, such as my friends and family who mean the world to me and have continuously supported me in everything I do.”

Wingspan: How has theater changed your life?

Pankanti: “Theatre has changed my life in so many ways. First off, I was able to find what I am truly passionate about and a means to express myself. I have also found an almost familial community consisting of the most supportive and kind people I have ever met who share the same interests as me.”