A stage without borders: One musical theatre student’s journey from China to Interlochen
For junior musical theatre major Luna Cheng, traveling from China to Interlochen meant stepping into the unknown—and discovering a stronger, more confident performer along the way.
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Shenzhen, Luna Cheng grew up fascinated by the world of musical theatre. Now a junior at Interlochen Arts Academy, she’s honing her craft in an environment that challenges and supports her in equal measure. From navigating cultural differences to performing in a new language, Cheng has embraced every part of the journey—growing not just as an artist, but as a person with a global perspective. Here’s what she had to say about her Arts Academy experience so far.
Why did you decide to come to Interlochen?
I started doing musical theatre as a kid. I spent a lot of time singing, and I knew I wanted to do something related to music in the future. I’ve been involved in school productions and a youth theatre company. I really enjoyed being able to sing and dance, and I was amazed by how impactful and powerful this art form is. So I started developing the idea of doing it as a career, and that led me to Interlochen.
Did you encounter any “culture shock” upon moving to the U.S.?
I sometimes struggle a bit with currency, because the exchange rate is so different. The food is different, and so are the cultural norms. It takes work to understand how to communicate with people in another society and to understand the way they interact. But it’s nice at Interlochen because everyone's really welcoming. Especially within the theatre department, everyone's so warm. I’ve made a lot of friends and there are other Chinese students here, so I can talk to people in my native language too.
How would you describe your experience with academics and the arts so far?
It's been magical. My skills and techniques in musical theatre have improved so much. I'm such a different performer than I was at the start of this school year. I feel a lot more confident, connected to this art form, and natural as a performer. My life and musical theatre are truly integrating. The academics are great because I have more choices in the classes I want to take and I can balance the homework with my arts work.
What do you miss most about home?
I miss my house, my friends, and my mom. I also really miss the feeling that the city is familiar to me—where to go when I want to hang out during the week or on the weekends.
How have you shared your culture with other students at Interlochen?
I am active in activities for international students, so I participated in the International Food Fair and the Culture Fair. I’ve performed at community meetings. I also just like sharing my own life experiences, personality, and culture with new people I meet. In a class called Musical Theatre Voice Studio, a friend of mine who is also Chinese (and my roommate) helped me put together a Chinese musical theatre duet, which we performed for the class.
What are your hopes for life after Interlochen?
I want to get into a good college and receive more training. Like every theatre kid, my dream is to be in shows on Broadway and West End. I hope I can continuously get better at my art form, which Interlochen is really helping with right now. And I want to keep performing, bring people joy, and spread good and insightful messages through musical theatre.
What would you say to an international student who is considering coming to Arts Academy?
I’d say you should really think about how much you like your art form, because when you’re here you’ll have to work hard on it. Everyone’s so passionate here. Make sure this is what you enjoy and what you really want to do. If you’re clear on that, Interlochen will be a great place for you. And if you’re still deciding what you’re interested in, that’s fine too, because you can always find new things here by trying out new classes or switching majors. No matter what you want to do in the future, Interlochen is a great place to learn new things and grow. You get inspired every day.
16% of Arts Academy students are international students. Learn more about becoming an international student at Arts Academy.
