Acting in American Musical Theater San Jose’s ‘Gypsy’ is just
one of the many activities 12-year-old Kayla Lemos pursues
Gilroy – Cultivating a child’s talent without adding pressure is a knack some parents lack. Just take a page from the script of the musical “Gypsy” which tells the story of Gypsy Rose Lee, whose mother Mama Rose was so infamous in her ambition for her two daughters that she earned the title “the ultimate show business mother.”
For Gilroy mother Kim Lemos it’s much more likely to just be ‘Mom.’
A week ago Tuesday, Kim’s daughter Kayla made her professional theater debut in American Musical Theater San Jose’s production of “Gypsy.” At the ripe old age of 12, Kayla has an impressive profile as a competitive gymnast and cheerleader but the relationship she shares with her mom doesn’t parallel the story she’s helping bring to the stage, not by a long shot.
Instead, the Lemos mother-daughter duo has managed to strike a healthy balance when it comes to developing Kayla’s versatile talent.
At 5, Lemos began. Her tiny frame and flexibility made her a “natural tumbler” according to her mom. However, even with all her natural talent, when the level of commitment became too much, the Lemos’ moved on.
“I was tumbling … five days a week, it was really tiring,” explained Kayla.
With her natural athleticism, she began searching for another sport that would allow her to continue tumbling without the pressure of training to be a gymnast. Cheerleading turned out to be just the thing.
“I wanted to do a different sport and I was thinking about soccer but a friend got me into (cheerleading),” Kayla said.
At 8, she became a cheerleader, but not just any cheerleader: a flyer. She spends practices launched into the air by her teammates or held aloft in a variety of challenging poses.
Competitive cheerleading has taken Kayla to all sorts of interesting places – everywhere from Las Vegas to Florida – and it’s something she thinks she’ll continue to pursue well into high school.
Recently, Kayla auditioned on a whim for a play and discovered another realm of adventure. Kayla played the Wicked Witch in a production of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and as is the case for many an actress, one show just led to another.
“I just kind of went and tried out and once I was finished I heard about “Gypsy”, and I thought ‘I’ll try out and if I don’t get it, whatever, maybe I’ll get something else,'” she said.
As parents, the Lemo’s have both made large time commitments to helping their kids develop their gifts and talents, whatever that might be. “My husband coached by son’s teams all the way through high school,” Kim said. “All the effort and time makes them who they become when they’re older. It keeps them on the right track.”
Recently, Kayla decided to obtain a theater, film and print agent in San Francisco. She now models for Old Navy in San Francisco every Thursday. It takes a family effort to get her there: mom, dad and grandma all take their turns driving her to appointments.
“I just kind of thought it’d be fun to act and model,” said Kayla. “But I really want to be veterinarian when I grow up.” At the Lemos household are all the elements for developing a love of animals: three dogs, one cat, a hermit crab, a chameleon and a fish.
Making decisions for her future will be a challenge for Kayla; with a range of talents and loves that could easily be pursued it’s anybody’s guess as to where she’ll end up.
“I’ve done (cheerleading) for a really long time, on the other hand I love bugs and animals and being with my dog and playing with (animals),” said Kayla, who attends Paradise Valley School in Morgan Hill.
For the Lemos’, it seems to be all a matter of having a balanced perspective: talent and opportunity seasoned with love.
“All kids have talent in all different areas,” said Kim. “When you see different things in your kids you want to help foster that.”
