While most youth involved in drama may dream of stardom and fame, Chardon resident Jeff Lelko has used his stage crafting experiences to pursue his dream of becoming a rocket scientist.While most youth involved in drama may dream of stardom and fame, Chardon resident Jeff Lelko has used his stage crafting experiences to pursue his dream of becoming a rocket scientist.
A 2007 graduate of Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, Lelko is currently attending the Florida Institute of Technology where he is working toward a degree in aerospace engineering.
Besides his passion for aeronautics, the 18 year old devoted most of his youth to being involved at the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild.
In 1999 at the age of 9, Jeff began on stage in the summer workshop program as a townsperson in "12 Dancing Princesses." After several minor roles in other youth productions, he soon discovered a fascination for the technical side of live theater.
Under the tutelage of the late Skip Kelley, the Geauga Theater's longtime technical director, Jeff blossomed into one of the theater's foremost lighting designers. Among his achievements were some of the Guild's highest quality productions including "Jesus Christ Superstar", "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and "A Chorus Line".
The unique hands-on experiences provided by Kelley gave Lelko the chance to develop his creative skills, self-confidence and also his problem solving abilities.
"Somewhere between hanging lights and writing cues, I've picked up a lot of life skills," says Lelko. "I've learned how to make decisions and be responsible for them in a way that not too many kids my age get to experience."
He hopes to use these problem-solving strategies in his future career whether at NASA or elsewhere.
"After all these years of model rocketry, it'll be nice to build a rocket and finally credit for it!" laughs Lelko.
In the summer, he plans to pass on his knowledge to future "techies" by teaching a technical theater workshop. For the past three years, Lelko with the help of longtime friend and Sound Designer Phil Lewendowski, has instructed youth in basic technical skills like lighting, sound and stage management as part of the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild's summer education program.