For Good: Kayla Goldsberry Paves the Way for Future Stars in Wicked's National Tour

via: Instagram

Reporter: Serenity Reynolds

TEMPE, Ariz. – 24-year-old Kayla Goldsberry looks to empower other girls through her role in the “Wicked” national touring cast as the only Black female on stage. 

Goldsberry is a Spring ‘23 graduate of the University of Southern California. She graduated with a BFA in Dance from the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and a minor in Communication Design. As a member of the ensemble and a small part in the beginning playing Elphaba’s mother, Goldsberry does it all onstage as she dances, sings, and acts throughout the performance.  

Starting her “Wicked” journey in March 2024, Goldsberry said she was with her mom when she received the cast list for the North American national tour of Wicked. After the excitement of finding out she’d be a part of this world-renowned show, nervousness set in as she realized she would be the only black female in the cast. As a recent college graduate and new to the theater world, Goldsberry said she felt anxious, especially knowing that as she traveled the nation, she’d be leaving the close-knit community of Black women she built around her. 

“That was probably the hardest thing to adjust to coming to show”, Goldsberry said. 

Since then, while Goldsberry made connections in her cast, she also learned how to develop a community within herself. 

“I’ve had to learn to take stock of what I need and be responsible for that on my own and that’s been a gift,” Goldsberry said. “I feel I’ve gotten really good at taking stock of where I am mentally and how I feel and giving myself what I need.” 

Since the age of four, Goldsberry said she has never known a life without dance. Although she dabbled in other career topics and kept her options open, Goldsberry wanted to pursue a career related to a passion to which she had devoted so much of her life. Growing up, as she moved from city to city, Goldsberry made meaningful connections where she lived, learning something new from each of the studios she’s been in. 

“All the studios I’ve been to have been very different–each one gave me a very well-rounded perspective on dance,” Goldsberry said. 

via: Instagram

When first thinking of college, Goldsberry always thought she would go to a smaller conservatory-like school. Attending to a larger school such as USC, Goldsberry said gave her the ability not only being able to major in dance, but also giving her more opportunities that she wouldn’t have gotten by going to a small school, such as going to football and basketball games, obtaining her Communication Design minor, and pledging her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. While she majored in dance, she kept her mind in a sponge-like mentality, keeping her capacity of learning open to all options in the scope of dance. 

“Going into college, my main goal was to be able to graduate doing anything, whether that be joining a ballet company, touring with artists, doing music videos, or going to musical theater,” Goldsberry said. “I just wanted to have the capacity for it all.” 

For those wanting to follow in her footsteps, Goldsberry encourages those who are wanting to pursue a path in dance, in spite of it being a smaller market, to not limit themselves and lead with curiosity. 

“There are so many different avenues that even I haven’t even begun to discover that I’ve barely begun to scratch the surface of,” Goldsberry said. 

credit: Momodu Mansaray

“Try to find yourself beyond being an artist like what topics outside of art interest you because those things will inform your artistry as well,” Goldsberry said. 

As to where her talents will go next, Goldsberry said while she’s keeping her options open, she’s enjoying her time and place at Wicked. 

“It’s just such a blessing to have an amazing thing that I have now to enjoy,” said Goldsberry. 

You can see Goldsberry and the rest of the Wicked cast on stage at https://wickedthemusical.com/tickets/#tour.