SFA is proud to recognize this YOUNG COMPANY Member!
Payton Brogna, 16
Inaugural Young Company Member
“Hearing the audience clap and cheer is a great feeling, but just knowing that you were able to share and let them be part of your story is something truly incredible.”- Payton
Our Young Company are student age performers who have shown excellence in performance, who show a gift for expressing beauty and truth in a personal and unique way. Yet, even greater they pull performance from their heart…these performers have embraced the power of the arts in their lives and beyond striving to live truth onstage to spread love off. They embody the Mission of Sing For America
Payton’s Intro!
I first started with Sing For America in search of something more. I was only 13, but I felt I needed to find a meaning behind what I was doing. My previous acting experience was fun and all, but I never truly knew the reason for what I was doing. I was seeking motivation. A motivation to get me through every song, dance, and scene throughout a show. After starting with Sing For America, I have found exactly what I was searching for. “The art of truth and life.” It is as simple as that.
Sing For America has made me look at life differently. I’ve found integrity in what I am doing and truly appreciate their words of wisdom. It doesn’t take long to encounter the feeling of family with Sing For America. They share so much love and kindness to any person that chooses to accept it. Every show tells a story. Every performance instills a memory. Every time I walk on stage energy and excitement rushes through my body. Hearing the audience clap and cheer is a great feeling, but just knowing that you were able to share and let them be part of your story is something truly incredible. Below are memories I got the opportunity to share with some wonderful people. -2018, Payton Brogna, 14
Payton’s Show Journal
Little Shop Fall 2017-Dancer
Peter Pan Christmas 2017 – Indian, Wendy Daughter
Spring 2018 Series: Hamilton and Showman
Mermaid+ Woods+Heights Summer Series 2018
Willy Wonka Christmas 2018- Veruca Salt
Godspell 2019- Disciple
School Of Rock Spring 2019 – Horace Green Student
Joseph + Tuck Summer 2019- Ruby Dancer, Winnie Tuck
Annie Christmas 2019- Housemaid Dancer
Children Of Eden Spring 2020- Creation
HSM + Pandora Summer 2020- Cheerleader, Aphrodite
HSM+PANDORA, SUMMER 2020
“…We are all in this together…we are all on the same journey, and each person plays an important role in each other’s paths...’
The 2020 summer camp show was High School Musical. What. A. Show. We had more time to connect with this show than any other camp before.Expand Story
Annie, Christmas, 2019
“…True friendship is keeping someone in your heart even if they are no longer there. I have learned that no matter if someone is not being a true friend to me , if I continue to pray for them and in my heart do everything I can to be a true friend to them, I have done my job.”
In the winter of 2020, we did the show Annie. Similar to Willy Wonka, we put a movie on stage. This show was absolutely incredible. The success of the show was one thing, but the heart of the show was another.Expand Story Annie has taught me lessons that I continue to carry throughout my everyday life. The lessons I have learned continue to come up whenever I meet somebody new. I want to face this world and every situation with the hope that Annie did. No matter the age, you can always learn from someone. Annie was a ten year old girl who taught the world how to hold onto the light and seek the good. We go through pain everyday, but it does not have to blind us to our goal. After all, the sun will ALWAYS come out tomorrow
Joseph + Tuck Summer 2019
“… I will forever carry with me the precious moments shared among castmates, and the amazing moments when we were able to connect to the audience..’
Next was Tuck Everlasting and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat. Joseph taught me so many lessons that I never knew I needed, and Tuck changed my perspective on life..Expand Story
Mermaid+ Woods+Heights Summer Series 2018
“…the true meaning of home. We grew very close as a cast during this show and that is something I will never take for granted.
My next few shows with Sing For America were all throughout one single summer. The Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, and In The Heights. This summer was most definitely something else. We ended up closing Into the Woods one morning, and opening In The Heights just a few hours later. Each show definitely had something I could take from it.Expand Story
Spring 2018 Series: Hamilton and Showman
“This performance was different than any I had ever done”
The third show I did was a Pasek and Paul performance. We used three of their pieces: Dear Evan Hansen, Lala Land, and The Greatest Showman. This performance was different than any I had ever done. It was a lot ofExpand Story
Peter Pan Christmas 2017 – Indian, Wendy Daughter
“We would spend the entire day together and then see each other again bright and early the next morning.”
My second show I did with Sing for America was Peter Pan during the winter. Peter Pan was a very fun experience. We performed up in Jim Thorpe in a beautiful space. Peter Pan is when I started to realize the caring environment of people I was performing with.Expand Story
Little Shop Fall 2017-Dancer
“I was trying a new company, and I was extremely nervous.”
My first show with Sing For America was Little Shop of Horrors.Expand Story!
Young Company: Nina Worsley
“WE BONDED WHEN IT WAS TIME TO STICK UP FOR EACH OTHER, AND WE BONDED THROUGH EVERY BOW”- Nina Worsley, Sing For America Young Company.
Marissa: Man In The Mirror
Challenge what we see on social media, challenge the news, and most importantly don’t be afraid to challenge each other….We all have a great opportunity and also a responsibility to make a change, and that starts within us.
Payton Brogna: Will We Accept?
Our (LOOOCKDOWN) Stories Payton Brogna - Young Company End Of Lockdown Payton Will We Accept? Before it was first announced that we were to be quarantined in our homes, I was anticipating the best few months of my entire life. I was in the midst of...
Trista Mayo:Reflections of Corona-Cation
I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back. Only they didn’t, because they were holding on to something…That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.”
Nina: What’s To Come?
If there is a lesson to be learned, a story to be shared, a hand to be held, let it be in the spirit of this: “When God fights, it’s of small consequence whether the hand that holds the sword is big or little.”
Miranda:WE MADE IT
It is more important than anything to continue to strive toward heaven, while being grateful for every moment spent here on earth.
A Few Testimonials
SFAP Has Made A Difference In The Lives Of Those Involved SFAP strives first and foremost to create a positive atmosphere in which to teach performers that they can achieve all that they dream. As a performer each person has the ability and the...