Laila Drew may be a principal cast member in “Suffs,” a smash Broadway hit musical, but she certainly has not forgotten where she came from or the people who believed in her talent.

“Growing up in Mt. Airy was wonderful,” the 24-year-old TV and Broadway performer told the Local in an interview last week. “It's a place deeply rooted in my family and community. My family's been there for generations, and no matter where life takes me, it will always feel like home.”

Drew, who attended the Henry School in West Mt. Airy is particularly appreciative of what she learned there. 

“My teachers at Henry were incredibly influential in my journey,” she said. “Francesca Cantarini sparked my love for reading, which has enriched my imagination and continues to fuel my acting. Carl Jackson, my fourth-grade teacher, taught me that I could tackle difficult challenges and even find ways to make them fun.”

And it was there, in her third grade class, that she got her first taste of life on the stage. 

“My teacher, Ms. Nikki Paulino, cast me in my first musical and gave me the lead role,” she said. “That’s where I discovered my love for theater and self-expression. I was a shy kid, and through the characters I played, I found a voice for emotions I couldn't otherwise express. I felt like I could truly be myself on stage.”

That experience ignited her life-long passion for self-expression through theater.

“When I went on my first Broadway audition at age 10, all my teachers made me believe anything was possible,” she said. “They even announced my callbacks over the loudspeaker in the mornings. Plus Ms. Cairone, Ms. Bak, Ms. McGee, Ms. Lee, Ms. Jensen and so many more amazing teachers! The love, support, and guidance I received from them have carried me through to where I am today.”

And the feeling is mutual. 

“Laila really is a wonderful and very talented young woman,” Cantarini told the Local.

In addition to her performances at Henry School, Drew was also performing at New Covenant Church in Mt. Airy at around that time. And that’s how she hit the big time. 

 “One of our church members told my mom about an open audition for 'The Lion King' on Broadway,” Drew said, “and we went for it. My mom, our good friend Ms. Deeana, my grandmother and I drove to New York, and we were among the first in line. 

“I went through multiple callbacks and made it all the way to the final round without any formal training. Although I didn’t land that role, the casting directors told my mom and me that I had something special and encouraged us to keep going. So we did! I got a manager and an agent, and the rest is history.”

After graduating from Henry School, Drew attended and graduated from The Academy of Arts and Sciences, an online school. She chose online schooling so she could also attend the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Rise Program in California. (Debbie Allen, who gained fame for her starring role in the TV series “Fame” {1982-1987}, has won Tony and Golden Globe Awards and five Emmys.)

“I initially planned to attend a musical theater conservatory after high school,” Drew said, “but I ended up being cast as a lead in a national tour. From there, I signed with agents and a manager, and I've been working ever since. However, I make it a point to stay in class. I've gained invaluable insights from my vocal coach, Judith Clurman, and through acting classes at The Lucid Body House and Pearlman Acting Academy.”

Drew, who now lives in New York City, has had significant TV roles in, among others, “FBI: International,” “Law and Order SVU” and the Netflix series, “Colin In Black & White.” 

She is now on Broadway in “Suffs” at the Music Box Theater, which received six nominations at the 77th Tony Awards, winning two for “Best Book” and “Best Score.” Drew also originated the role of "Melody" in a world premiere, Broadway-style musical, and starred in "Generation Me," the 2017 winner for Best Musical in the New York Musical Festival. Her favorite performance is “Pippin,” in which she played the lead at age 17. 

While millions of young people aspire to a career on Broadway or in TV, very few actually make it. But Drew never doubted that it was what she was meant to do. 

“First, believing in yourself is most of the battle,” she said. “Even when the world hasn’t caught up to your vision, you have to relentlessly focus yourself into your dreams until you’re living them.”

She also had critical support. 

“No one can do anything alone,” she said. “My mom and I are a team in my career. She helps me make connections and build a community of agents, managers, directors and fellow actors who love and support me — and whom I love and support in return.”

Drew's mother, LaVada English, is the CEO of Bright Places, Inc., which develops and coaches workplace leadership. Her father, Louis Drew, is an entrepreneur who works in real estate. Laila has two older sisters: Lauryn, who owns a skincare business called Lauryn’s Garden, and Leah, a social media influencer and R&B singer.

Laila can be contacted on Instagram through @lailaericadrew. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.