Artist statement
Storytelling is both my craft and my calling. Grounded in a strong spiritual foundation, I see every role as an opportunity to create with purpose, empathy, and imagination. I believe meaningful performances come from careful preparation, genuine collaboration, and a willingness to keep learning. As I launch my professional career, I’m excited to take on new challenges, work with creative teams, and continue growing as both an artist and a person.
biography
Growing up in Oak City and later Cottonwood Heights, Utah, I discovered a love for performance at an early age. As the youngest of four siblings—with an eight-year age gap separating me from the rest—I often found my own adventures. At age ten, I was cast in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and from that first production, I knew the stage was where I belonged.
After moving to Cottonwood Heights, I immersed myself in the arts through Up With Kids Children’s Theatre and the Salt Lake Children’s Choir. By the time I graduated high school in 2020, I had performed in 14 productions and spent nearly every free moment rehearsing, performing, and growing alongside an incredible theatre community.
Like many aspiring performers, I was told that theatre wasn’t a practical career. During the uncertainty of the pandemic, I stepped away from the stage and later served an 18-month mission in Chicago for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That experience deepened my faith and unexpectedly reignited my passion for storytelling, leading me to pursue a B.A. in Theatre at BYU–Idaho.
Since then, I have continued to grow as both an artist and performer, culminating in my role in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical during my senior year. As I graduate, I am excited to begin the next chapter of my career, seeking opportunities to tell meaningful stories, collaborate with talented artists, and continue developing my craft.
Cora Gadd 