Mission Hills resident and Shawnee Mission East senior Adelaide Basta spends her time working with the theater department, designing lighting and putting on performances and musicals throughout East. 

It started with her mom suggesting an after-school activity. Despite her busy in-school schedule, she needed to find a way to fill the rest of her time. 

“What if you did a Frequent Friday?” 

That was it. She would audition for the after-school mini-performances written and directed by Shawnee Mission East students.

Since then, Adelaide has participated in nearly a dozen school performances. Though she loves the onstage aspect, Adelaide is also there for the bonds she’s made with fellow cast and crew members. 

“I would consider my advanced rep. Class to be like my second family,” Adelaide said. 

And despite being an outstanding performer, she isn’t just a stage personality. Adelaide has been elected onto the thespian board for two years now and has truly found her niche behind the curtains, working with the lighting. 

“Designing lights is pretty unique,” Adelaide said. “Using a light board and knowing lots about different lighting fixtures is not something many high schoolers know or have the opportunity to know.” 

But theater isn’t a small commitment. Adelaide often stays for hours after school for the weeks leading up to shows, sometimes taking multiple weeks solely to prepare. “I only have time for theater. Even keeping a job is hard,” Adelaide said. “I sometimes have to take off three weeks at a time. Fortunately, my schoolwork load isn’t crazy high, but it is a lot of late nights. But that’s what you do for the things you love.”