Daniel in OZ costume with teachers

Lights Up

On Daniel Colella ’30

By Jill Flemming 

"I always knew that I learned differently. I fit in better academically here, and I’m invested in my learning because the teachers explain concepts to help me learn."
—DANIEL COLELLA ’30

Places. Lights…and Cue Scene!

Onstage steps seventh grader Daniel Colella. Daniel hails from Danvers, Mass., and is the son of John and Michelle Colella. A third-year student at Landmark’s Elementary•Middle School (EMS), Daniel recognizes his opportunities here and embodies the spirit of volunteerism on campus. 

“I always knew that I learned differently. I fit in better academically here, and I’m invested in my learning because the teachers explain concepts to help me learn,” he said. He offers encouragement to fellow students: “Speak up and make yourself known in your community. You are worth being seen and heard. Sometimes people will tell you that you can’t do something and tell you to give up, but just keep moving forward.” Daniel feels that having dyslexia is his superpower. “Instead of thinking like other people, I think and see things in my own way. Try your best at everything and go as far as you can with the stuff you love.” Daniel and his parents have been instrumental in supporting Landmark Parents’ Association (LPA) events on the EMS campus. Giving back is in his DNA. This spring, Daniel organized a cereal-box drive in his neighborhood in support of the EMS food drive for Beverly Bootstraps.  

Theater is Daniel’s passion. Since age five, when he first stepped onto the stage to portray Prince Charming in Cinderella, he has been singing, dancing, acting, and entertaining audiences. Daniel fosters his love of the theater by attending The New England School of Performing Arts in Reading, Mass. He has entertained audiences in theatrical performances of Descendants, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His dedication to theater has also landed him lead roles as Zeus in Hercules, as well as the dual role of Uncle Henry and the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. Being on stage is a perfect outlet for him, and he is an active member of the EMS Drama Club. “Theater gives me what I need to express myself and feels right to me.”  

Article originally published in The Lantern Spring/Summer 2025.

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