ANDES — Jade Litaker had a dream as a girl to sing on stage in New York City. Her career has built considerable success toward “Broadway on wheels” and to “share a story that is especially relevant” in her performance in The Sound of Music alongside Broadway veterans and acting students fresh out of school.

“It filled my cup up in ways that I wasn’t expecting.”

She graduated from Andes in 2013 and has gone on to become a key musical talent. After getting a solo in Rockland County and coming to Andes in sixth grade and working with Mrs. Rockwell really opened her eyes. Mrs. Rockwell saw Litaker’s talent, and sought out further practice and one-on-one “private care.”

“That was the benefit of Andes, that you can get that one-on-one session that you wouldn’t get in a bigger school,” she said.

Litaker described herself as shy, but was a standout performer with the Andes Drama Club.

“There are parts of me that are really shy and parts of me that are really extroverted.” But during performances, she can still be a “little shy to share my singing and my acting” but ultimately has shown confidence through repeated practice.

Some creatives keep to themselves and often put everything into their performances, which Litaker understands.

“I really had an interest in doing things on my own time,” she said. When younger, Litaker waited to build upon the experience. A performer may never feel completely ready, but that practice and experience helps with nerves, she said. Much of that started in the Andes.

In college, Litaker aimed to enter opera. She started opera training during her study at Andes and further classical technique Downstate.

“I love musical theatre so much but it’s where my voice was at comfortably, and the training pushed me.” After an opera workshop, she was encouraged by a teacher to switch to musical theatre. This led to Litaker switching her major.

“The rest is kind of history from there,” she said.

This included her performance in Rent, her first musical theatre gig out of college. This helped in her transition from opera to pop rock.

Her career has seen her in Rent twice, There, a Pop Opera, and Pretty Woman’s first national tour. After a break to care for her son, she returned for The Sound of Music.

Pretty Woman allowed her to feel that “all of my dreams are coming.”

Performing in Rogers and Hammerstein was “like coming home.” 

Litaker plays the role of the nun who does not believe Maria is cut out to be a nun in the first act, and has a brief appearance as the wife of a dignitary at the ball in the second act.

“I’m glad that I had a chance to do it,” she said “and to be a small part of the history of the show,” she said.

Andes students came to watch the performance of The Sound of Music last month as well as many well-wishers from the community. Litaker sees that “it just kind of happened” that she became a role model to others.

“It’s really, really special to see kids interested in the arts,” she said. “I’m really, really blown away by kids I met.” This includes students born and raised in Delaware County and those who moved there. “Listening to the passion in these kids, who knew that they wanted to do that early on, is very reflective of my experience.” She hopes to show advice and signs of affirmation for growing students.

“If they see something in me that helps motivate and inspire them, I will gladly take that on.”

Andes has some “hidden gems” among those who understand and teach music, she said. It’s crucial to dedicate time and attention to students studying and showing interest in arts. She said that the attention she received as a student helped her develop her career. Students can do the same now and that’s “really special” and crucial toward their future development.

Litaker is looking forward to rest, including this being her last week with the musical. This will allow her a chance to spend some time in New York and “relax and chill.”

She will also be a part of a show, Come from Away, in June and will rest up to prepare for it.

“Touring is a beast. Eight shows a week. Broadway is a beast. And taking care of your body is imperative to doing good work.”