Many children dream of becoming a movie star or bringing stories to life on a theater stage. Although many kids outgrow their interest in pursuing a career in the performing arts, young aspiring actors who live in Lancaster County have a plethora of opportunities to step into the limelight. From productions at the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster city to shows offered by Sight & Sound Theatres in Strasburg to performances at Milburn Stone Theatre in North East, Md., the regional theater scene continues to thrive. Leyla Dalrymple, a fourth-grader at Clermont Elementary School in Quarryville, is an ambitious thespian who feels most at home on the stage.

"(Leyla) has always had a thing for performing. She's always been passionate about it," said Windsor Dalrymple, Leyla's father. "Leyla's never disappointed about what role she gets; she's just happy to be on stage."

Leyla first entered the world of theater when she was 4 years old, starting out with acting classes for children offered by the Fulton Theatre. Leyla has also participated in various other acting programs where participants are guaranteed a role, but the young actress recently landed her first auditioned role as a member of the ensemble for Milburn Stone Theatre's production of "Cinderella," which held its final performance at Cecil College in North East, Md., on April 28. While the acting courses entailed a structured rehearsal routine, Leyla and her parents had to adapt to the more rigorous schedule of professional theater. Despite the exhausting practices and many late-night rehearsals, Leyla's mother, Berna, said Leyla enjoyed every minute of it.

"Even when they were changing out of their costumes after rehearsal, Leyla would sing along and swap stories with her fellow cast members," Berna said. "She doesn't have much experience yet, but she participates as part of the bigger picture and develops relationships with the other actors." Windsor and Berna said they also became involved with the production when they dropped Leyla off at rehearsals, often helping with costumes and working with crew members. "It's different from the perspective of being observers. You feel like you're part of it as well," Windsor added.

Windsor and Berna share a common love for theater, but this is their first experience with being actively involved with a production. Windsor noted that he often attended plays while growing up in the Philadelphia area, and he continued doing so after moving to Lancaster in 1995. "We had no idea what the county had to offer," Windsor said. In between rehearsals and auditions, Leyla takes dance classes at Debbie's School of Dance in Quarryville, as well as vocal training with Hempfield-based instructor Joanne Abrom. Previously, Leyla participated in Servant Stage's production of "Anastasia" in Strasburg. In addition to participating in theater, Leyla writes and performs original music at home.

"We don't have anything else on the horizon, but that can change any time," Berna said. "We see this as the beginning of a path and her experience with theater."