Once one bears witness to Kenzie Losinski dart and dash around the Rudy Hart Theatre like a taxicab racing down Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue, it becomes easier to comprehend how she manages an ambitious academic load with an equally frenetic schedule in the performing arts. One minute she’s tap dancing at center stage, the next she’s sprinting to Dressing Room A for a costume stage so she can return moments later to sit calmly behind a typewriter.
Losinski’s energy, grace, and, most importantly, time management skills allow her to excel across numerous realms. “I get as much done during the school day as I can,” she said.
Last week, she was one of four Marquette students named to the Indiana Association of School Principal (IASP)’s Rising Stars of Indiana Class of 2022. Losinski is on pace to have recorded 59 dual credits by June to go with a 4.461 cumulative grade-point average. The news came just a day before the filming of Marquette’s spring musical, Newsies, where her talents reverberate as Katherine Plumber.
As if the task of balancing impressive academic credentials with play practices that can keep her on campus past 9:00 pm wasn’t challenging enough, Losinski dedicated what little spare time she had remaining two weeks ago to compete in Region’s Got Talent 2021, Northwest Indiana’s Premiere Youth Performance Competition.
Her performance confirmed to the panel of judges what Marquette has long known: she’s got talent, alright.
Losinski delivered a captivating rendition of “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie that earned her first-place honors in the Senior Division, a section that covered high-schoolers of all ages across NWI. In her inaugural act at Region’s Got Talent, Losinski took home a trophy and a cash prize.
“It was nice just to be able to perform,” said Losinski, whose ability to showcase her vocal savvy in Back to the 80s was thwarted last March due to the pandemic.
A unique aspect of Marquette’s spring musicals is its collaboration with local grade schools in filling out a cast and crew. Middle schoolers from all over LaPorte and Porter Counties dipped their toes in the waters of theatre these past few weeks to gain a better understanding of the skill and commitment necessary to pull off a production like Newsies.
For Losinski, having the “littles” around has unlocked a world of mentorship.
“I would like to teach younger kids. It’s so fun, and they’re so sweet,” remarked Losinski, who plans to study musical theatre in college.
Fans can catch Losinski along with the rest of the Newsies cast beginning Friday, April 16th at 7 pm at ShowTix4U.com, the show’s online platform. Subsequent streamings are scheduled for Saturday, April 17th (7 pm), Sunday, April 18th (6 pm), Friday, April 23rd (7 pm), Saturday, April 24th (7 pm), and Sunday, April 25th (6 pm). Proceeds from streaming sales will benefit Marquette Performing Arts.
“I’m so proud of this show. Everyone has been incredible and has taken so well to the dance portion. It’s just been fantastic,” Losinski said.
