In the Spotlight: WHS Grad Uses Theater for Social Change
Zoella Sneed, a 2017 graduate of Waukee High School, is making an impact — both on and off the stage. As a company actor for The Rose Theater in Omaha, she was the first Black actress to play the starring role in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella in the state of Nebraska. When she’s not performing, Zoella is the theater’s Education Engagement Coordinator, working to facilitate local school partnerships, create spaces for historically underserved communities, and make the industry more accessible for all.
Finding Her Voice
Zoella in the WHS production of “Legally Blonde” during her senior year.
As a student at Waukee High School, Zoella participated in every performing arts opportunity available, including fall plays, spring musicals, the biannual Friday Night Live production, and the Iowa Thespian Festival. She also competed on the school’s speech team in the “musical theatre” categories.
Zoella often sought out leadership roles, serving as the director of the ninth-grade speech team, assistant director of the ninth-grade play, and the “dramaturg” (literary advisor) for many high school productions.
“The theatre arts programming at Waukee High School is incredibly rare. Not only does it give a vigorous and competitive approach to becoming a performer, it also provides many leadership opportunities to students to build their confidence. Students lead the charge on many creative decisions tied to productions,” Zoella explains.
“Since my time at Waukee, I’ve taught at many Iowa and Nebraska high schools that don’t have these same opportunities. I am incredibly grateful to Waukee for advocating that its arts programming be transformative in that way.”
Although she says accolades weren’t her goal, Zoella received numerous recognitions for her performances, including the Outstanding Dramaturgy Award at the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards and the Theatre Education Scholarship at the Iowa Thespian Festival. She also lettered with distinction twice with the Waukee Thespian Troupe #1451.
Choosing Her Path
Zoella performs in “Hair” at the University of Northern Iowa.
After graduating from Waukee High School, Zoella attended the University of Northern Iowa. Her experiences at Waukee CSD led her to pursue a career in both performance and theater education.
Zoella earned degrees in Theatre Performance and Theater for Youth & Communities, while performing on-stage and getting involved in the local community. As a senior, she received the university’s Diversity Matters Award and was honored at graduation with the Lux Service Award, the highest honor given to an undergraduate student.
Making an Impact
Today, Zoella performs professionally in musicals and plays at The Rose Theater, a regional children’s theater in Omaha, as well as other regional and local theaters.
Zoella performs as Cinderella at The Rose Theater.
Last year, at only 23 years old, Zoella earned the starring role of Cinderella in the Rose Theater’s production, becoming the first Black actress to play the beloved princess in both the theater’s history as well as in the state of Nebraska.
In an interview with Omaha Magazine, Zoella said she “was so honored to be chosen to play such an iconic character.”
“As a child I was inspired by Brandy who played the first Black Cinderella in 1997, and I looked up to her. I watched the VHS tape with my siblings so many times that it broke.”
Off the stage, Zoella is making a difference by coordinating opportunities for youth to engage with performing arts. Working with elementary schools across the Omaha metro, she organizes field trips for students to see shows and facilitates the Every Single Child programming, which gives every student in Omaha and the surrounding areas an in-school theater opportunity each year.
Additionally, Zoella has spearheaded a production for BIPOC teens that offers an open space for diverse youth to create art and explore their voices.
“Since beginning work at The Rose, I’ve been able to continue advocating for important multicultural programming, culturally responsive teaching practices, and additional accessibility for young people within the theater,” Zoella says. “Now that I have the power to influence other young BIPOC students, I will always fight to do so.”
