By Shayan Abbasi
From a young age, Lizzy Joy Doan was enchanted by the magic of musical theatre. Her fascination with theatre began with “The Wizard of Oz,” a production that swept her off her feet and onwards to the stage. This initial spark grew into a passion after she saw “Wicked” for her birthday.
“After I saw ‘Wicked,’ I knew I belonged on the stage,” Doan said.
Now a junior, she has been involved in theater for nearly nine years, which marks a journey long before she stepped into high school.
After joining the high school theatre program, Doan found more than just an outlet for her acting — she found a community in which everyone plays a supporting role in each other’s stories.
“When I joined the theatre department, I instantly gained friends and found a place that accepted everyone,” she said.
This inclusive environment did more than just “set the stage” for friendships; it also improved her academic skills. Theatre gave Doan public speaking skills, which she has utilized throughout her high school experience, from Debate Club to Model United Nations.
Doan’s high school theatre experience has been filled with many diverse roles, each with unique perspectives, from Helen Keller in the “Miracle Worker” to Abigail Williams in “The Crucible.” Each character has brought its own set of challenges and learning opportunities, but portraying Helen Keller was specifically impactful to her.
“Playing Helen Keller taught me the most,” Doan said.
This role required extensive research as well as a deep respect and appreciation of historical accuracy, teaching her how to authentically portray someone who has disabilities and is at a disadvantage. Her performance of Keller in this play earned her two Orange County Cappies nominations and laid a foundation for her to take on more leading roles, including her portrayal of Abigail Williams.
Looking towards the future, Doan believes her passion for theatre will influence her career path in important ways. While she plans to major in Marketing/Public Relations, the skills she has discovered on stage, which include “self-promotion, public speaking and audience engagement,” are already paying off for her. She has gathered over 20 million views on TikTok and has stayed active on social media platforms.
“Theatre has helped me learn how to promote myself on social media,” she said.
Whether she is performing under the lights of Broadway or crafting the production of a play behind the scenes, Doan is aiming for success. Her talents in both theatre and marketing will allow her to succeed on the stage, as well as in broader media. Doan continues her journey in the arts, and in the meantime is still committed to other people within the theatre community, continuing to support newer generations of actors and producers.
