Broadway star and Wakefi eld resident
lifts community’s spirits with music
BY JASON COHEN
She has been on Broadway,
performed at the United Nations
and sang the national
anthem at colleges and high
schools throughout New York
City.
Layla Capers, 11, of Wakefi
eld, who was Nala in the
“Lion King” before COVID-19
shuttered Broadway, has been
singing from her front porch
everyday at 7 p.m. to bring
hope and encouragement
to her community and give
thanks to doctors, nurses,
health care workers and essential
workers.
“I came home from Broadway
and noticed all the hard
work the doctors, nurses and
essential workers are putting
in,” Capers said.
She noted that many nights
her neighbors are outside
waiting for her to sing. She
has performed songs by Alicia
Keys and other songs like
“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
and “Lean on Me” by Bill
Withers.
Her mom Diana Capers is
proud of her daughter.
“I really enjoy how she’s
turned such a trying time into
a positive,” Diana said.
Capers found her passion
for singing at 4-years-old
as she sang along to Disney
songs, family karaoke nights
and during worship at church.
By age fi ve, Capers was a performer
at the I Can Sing Vocal
Showcase. Her love for
the stage and natural stage
presence began to open many
doors for her.
While performing in
church, they suggested she
get a vocal coach. Eventually,
she did and hired Conrad Robinson,
the same person who
discovered Alicia Keys and
H.E.R.
Things changed in the
summer of 2018. Diana posted
videos of her daughter singing
and was soon contacted by a
man who would eventually become
Capers’ manager.
He quickly landed her an
audition for “School of Rock”
and at 9-years-old, she was on
Broadway.
BRONX TIMES R 6 EPORTER, MAY 15-21, 2020 BTR
“I fi rst thought wow it’s incredible,
I’ve always dreamed
of being in that role,” she exclaimed.
Her life turned upside
down. While most kids were
seeing movies, playing outside
or glued to tablets, she was going
from school to Broadway
and home every day.
She recalled that it was a bit
of an adjustment at fi rst. She
had to do all of her homework
in the car and wouldn’t get
home until 11 p.m. However,
she was living her dream.
“I don’t really get nervous,”
Capers explained. “I’m just really
excited. I knew I wanted to
be in musical theater and onstage
one day.”
Then in November 2019,
she landed the part of Nala in
“Lion King.” She was in the
show until March when the
coronavirus closed Broadway.
This has allowed her to spend
time with family, but she does
miss seeing her friends.
She is studying at the
GIFTED Performing Arts
Program, where she is training
for piano, guitar, hip hop,
contemporary dance and acting.
You can catch Capers singing
at local churches, talent
shows, street fairs and many
other community events. She
will also appear on Sesame
Street for Season 51.
“It’s so crazy sometimes,”
she said. “I feel so grateful.”
Layla Capers, 11, of Wakefi eld, who was Nala in the “Lion King” before
COVID shuttered Broadway, has been singing to the community.
Photo courtesy Diana Capers
COMMUNITY
CHIROPRATIC
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