“A young acting sensation” are words too few that can truly describe Gabriella Uhl. A star in the making, Gabriella has been performing her whole life. One could even say it is in her blood, as she tells us that everyone in her family loves to perform. From her first appearance in The School of Rock to her latest appearance in Netflix’s 13: The Musical singing, acting, and dancing are a way of life. However, she also dabbles in philanthropic work in the form of women’s empowerment through the Maestro organization. Please read on as we delve deeper into the life of Gabriella Uhl in this exclusive interview with Jejune Magazine.

Where are you based?
I live in the Hudson Valley of New York. I've lived in the same house my whole life, but I've been so lucky to travel to so many places!

What led to your passion for performing?
I started studying ballet when I was in preschool, and from the very first time I was on stage, I just loved it.

In what ways did growing up in a musical family influence your interest in the arts?
When I was very young, both of my parents were musicians (my dad still is) and it didn't really occur to me that there were people who didn't perform. My older sister is studying in college to be a musical theater performer, and my older brother studied piano. He doesn't want to perform publicly, but he enjoys making music so much. Practicing and consistently studying music and dance are just part of the culture in my house, so those commitments and the hours they require don't feel extreme to me at all.

From an early age you trained in various styles of dance including classical ballet, modern, tap, and jazz! Can you tell us a little more about your experience in dance?
Sure! The studio where I study follows the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus, which focuses on developing dance skills as our bodies grow each year. I am now on what's called the vocational track, which is pre-professional ballet training. I hope to pass my Advanced 1 RAD exam before I finish high school. I will never be a company ballerina, but in my experience, having a solid ballet foundation makes me ready to learn choreography quickly in other styles. Ballet class is hard, physical work, but I'm always thankful for it. I spent four weeks this summer training for over 30 hours a week at a summer ballet intensive.

Do you have a favorite style to perform?
I enjoy it all, but I think I'd have to say my favorite is tap.

In the Broadway National Tour of "School of Rock the Musical” you originated the role of "Sophie”, and understudy for "Summer," "Tomika, "Shonelle," and "Marcy." Can you tell us more about this experience?
Those 20 months on tour were so amazing. I got to live in 63 cities and I grew so much as a person and as a professional. I spent 5th and 6th grade on the road. The adults in the cast and crew taught me more than I can even describe about how to behave in a professional environment, how to stay safe and productive, how to take care of my body so I was always ready to perform, and how to make the most out of every minute I spent on stage. I would go on tour again in a heartbeat, if I was given the chance!

How did you prepare to take on the role of various characters?
I was really young, nine years old, when I started with School of Rock. I learned one role at a time, starting with my main role, Sophie. Sophie was all over the stage, so that kind of set me up to have an easier time learning each of the other roles. I'd write a lot of notes in rehearsal and review them in bed when I was winding down after a show. I didn't get to go on very often in the roles I understudied, but I loved the challenge of always having to be ready to go at a moment's notice. A few times, I even switched roles mid-show.

On August 12th you made your feature debut as “Patrice” on Netflix's musical film 13: The Musical which was adapted from the Broadway musical! How do you get into character for this role? What do you hope viewers take away from this film?
I was a big fan of the stage version of 13: The Musical for most of my young life and Patrice was my dream role. My favorite part of playing her was getting to sing the iconic songs Jason Robert Brown wrote for the character. They are some of the best songs a young female performer could ever get to perform and preparing them for this movie and the soundtrack was the greatest experience of my life so far. I think everyone who sees this movie is going to just love that they can identify or recognize themselves in someone on the screen. The cast is so diverse and every single person brings something amazing to the movie.

What are some of your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?
I realize that to be my age and have the experiences I've had is really unique, and even if I never work again in the business, I can be thankful for what I've been given the chance to do. I would love to perform in live theater again, maybe originate a new character in a fresh Broadway show? It's hard to predict where the next five years will take me. I'm working hard in all of my disciplines (music, dance, acting), taking care of my body, and doing my best in school so I always have choices and I'm always ready for opportunities that might come my way. I'd be thrilled to keep working in theater, film, maybe even animation voice overs or TV? I might also want to go to college and study something I haven't even discovered yet.

Outside of entertainment, you are passionate about women empowerment and are committed to philanthropic work. You began working closely with Georgia Stitt, the founder Maestra, an organization that supports female musicians in the musical theater industry. How did you become involved with this organization? Can you tell us more about how you support them?
I respect Georgia Stitt so much and my voice teacher, who is also one of my greatest mentors, is a member of Maestra, too. I support the organization with donations and the last two years I’ve bought tickets to their annual event called Amplify.

As a female musician and an individual that works with female artists, what changes would you like to see happen in the industry to help female musicians?
This obviously doesn't affect me at my age and stage of life, but I think it must be really difficult for women who are also mothers to stay as strong and practiced as is needed to perform at the highest level when they are also taking care of young children, or any children. I think something that would really help is good childcare by people who are available the weird hours musicians have to work and who also take time to get to know and love the children they care for.

Our world has been a crazy place these past few years. How have you been staying positive? Are you back to normal now?
That's a good question. I don't know that I was ever really normal to begin with, since I started doing online school in fifth grade and I'm starting tenth grade now, still online. My dance studio is back to normal and I'm very happy I get to be with my friends in person there. When we had to stay at home, we had class over Zoom and I was thankful, but I also really missed being in the studio. I think the thing I miss the most and haven't gotten to do again yet is sing with people in the same room. The few times we sang together in rehearsals for 13, we were in plexiglas booths and it just wasn't the same. I stayed positive, though, because I really understood that all of the precautions we took, whether it was staying home, wearing a mask in public, or moving activities outside helped to prevent the spread of a virus that we didn't know a whole lot about. I missed things, but I really understood that all of the changes were for a good reason.

What is your motto in life?
"The universe is unfolding as it should." It's from a poem called Desiderata and no matter what is happening, good or bad, I remind myself to trust that it's all happening as it should.

To learn more about Gabriella Uhl, please follow her Instagram below:
Instagram @gabriellauhl

Photo credit: Corinne Louie

Gabriella Uhl Is Performing Her Way Through Life