The bright lights frame Lia Korzeniewski’s face, as she makes her final bows and the curtain closes. The adrenaline running through her veins makes her nearly euphoric. The stage is a second home to her.

The Mercy musical Mame opened last weekend and starred Korzeniewski, a junior, as the title character, Mame. She has been performing since before she can remember, but her first actual musical was OZ! when she was in 5th grade. From that first musical, Korzeniewski has continued to flourish in theater.

“I fell in love with doing musicals because you can be a totally different person on stage,” said Korzeniewski. “I love being able to act, sing, and dance all in one.”

Mame is a light-hearted and touching story about a socialite who has to suddenly raise her nephew, Patrick, during the roaring ’20s and during the Depression.

“This show is very special to me,” said Korzeniewski. “My grandma passed away in October and this was her favorite musical.”

Korzeniewski has continued to stay involved with Mercy’s theater department by participating in Spirit Choir and Mercyaires. Although she loves both of these activities, she is thrilled when she gets to take part in a play or musical at Mercy.

“We are all one big family,” said Korzeniewski. “I have met so many people through Mercy musicals that have become my best friends. The reason I came to Mercy was to be a part of the performing arts department, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”