Baldina was inspired to start acting at the age of 5 when she saw Wicked at DPAC and Annie at the North Carolina Theatre.
“After I saw Annie I kind of realized what I wanted to do with my life which was theatre,” Baldina wrote over text. She began training at the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory and started taking vocal lessons.
The two things that motivate Baldina to keep acting are the happiness of others and herself. “It brings other people happiness seeing characters come alive in the form of song and dance, and sometimes the audience can hold a special connection with different characters onstage so much the experience is all the more special,” wrote Baldina. She also recounts just how much fun theatre is for her.
“You get to meet lots of new people who enjoy the same things as you do and share a lot of similar interests, and that creates bonds that can last a lifetime.”
Baldina acted in NRACT’s 2019 production of Miscast; Everything Taboo. The production is an annual fundraiser for the theatre and featured a silent auction and raffle drawing. (Photo courtesy of Ela Baldina) 
In July of 2019, Baldina acted as July, an orphan, in NC Theatre’s production of Annie. The show opened on Tuesday, July 23, and ran through Sunday, July 28. (Photos courtesy of Ela Baldina) 
“One of my first shows was Annie at the North Carolina Theatre and then years later I ended up being in Annie, so, full circle,” Baldina wrote. (Photos courtesy of Ela Baldina) 
Baldina participated in a two-week intensive performance that her studio performs every two years. Baldina believes the performance helped her improve her skills as an actor. (Photos used by permission of Ela Baldina) 
“It allowed me to improve my choreographing skills and just my performance skills overall,” Baldina wrote. (Photos used by permission of Ela Baldina) 
Freaky Friday debuted at NRACT in March of 2020. Baldina took on the role of Savannah, the chief mean girl in the production. The show was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic but Baldina recalls loving every second of the production. (Photos courtesy of Ela Baldina) 
“I love feisty, despicable Savannah, and even though our run for this show might be shorter than expected, I am going to enjoy every show like it is my last,” Baldina wrote on Instagram. (Photos courtesy of Ela Baldina) 
Most recently, Baldina acted in Leesville’s newest play, The Virtual Family. The Virtual Family is a lighthearted comedy directed by honors theater students.(Photo courtesy of Ela Baldina) 
Leesville streamed the play online and featured 13 skits over about 75 minutes. The second photo is a photo from behind the scenes featuring Baldina’s friend, Molly. (Photo courtesy of Ela Baldina)
