Last February, Jake Pryor ‘27 was training as the Lafayette College lacrosse team’s backup goalie as the team stormed its way to a program-best 10 wins. One year later, he’s preparing for the Marquis Players’ production of “Mean Girls” and an upcoming competitive a capella performance.
It’s the latest twist in Pryor’s journey, where his multitalented exploits have transcended the binary boundary between Lafayette arts and sports. But the Bloomfield, New Jersey, native has straddled that line almost as long as he can remember.
“I started both at a really young age and just never stopped,” Pryor said, adding that sports and acting acted as “escapes” from his daily routine. “It was always such a reward to be able to play sports and then go off to rehearsal.”
That early start laid the foundation for Pryor to balance acting, singing and sports throughout a decorated high school career — including time at Kent School, which counts many famous alumni — where he led the lacrosse and football teams and participated in theater and a capella groups. He walked on to Lafayette’s lacrosse team in 2023, but the rigorous nature of Division I athletics forced Pryor to put his artsier pursuits on the back burner.
“I always identified as an athlete more than an artist,” Pryor said on his decision. “It was just a natural progression.”
Pryor appeared in one game in 2024, a 22-2 win against Hampton University, and did not appear in 2025. Despite his limited role, assistant lacrosse coach Jud Hall described Pryor as an unselfish, energetic and well-liked teammate.
“Backup goalie isn’t a super glamorous role, but serves a massive purpose,” Hall said. “He did a very nice job in that space in terms of being selfless there.”
However, Pryor soon realized acting and singing were calling louder than expected. He sporadically snuck off to practice rooms to learn new material, but said his inability to perform onstage gnawed at him.
“It always felt like something was missing,” Pryor said. “Like I couldn’t express myself as well as I wanted to and had in the past.”
He left the lacrosse team following its historic 2025 campaign and spent much of last fall adrift before hearing of the Marquis Players’ upcoming “Mean Girls” production over winter break. Pryor said he had never seen the 2004 movie or its 2017 musical adaptation, but threw himself back into action nonetheless.
“I have two older sisters, so I don’t know how I never saw it,” said Pryor, who watched the teen classic over break. “But I thought I could resonate with one of the male characters.”
By the time auditions rolled around, he had rediscovered his old magic enough to make an instant impression on “Mean Girls” director Juliet Minadeo ‘27.
“When he started singing, I was completely blown away,” Minadeo said. “He had the voice of an angel. I remember thinking, ‘That’s my Aaron Samuels.’”
Pryor got the job. He was also announced as the newest member of the Mar-Keys, an on-campus a capella group, after singing “Your Song” by Elton John.
Sadie Gagliardi ‘26, the former Mar-Keys president who stars opposite Pryor as main protagonist Cady Heron, praised Pryor’s energy, adaptability and commitment to the bit.
“I’ve enjoyed learning the dances with him,” Gagliardi said. “That’s been pretty funny.”
When asked which of Kent School’s famous alumni he most identified with, Pryor quickly honed in on the critically acclaimed singer Lana Del Rey.
“I love her music,” Pyror said, though he admitted he had not listened to her new single “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter,” surprise-released the day prior. “She’s very emotional, and she feels it.”
“I definitely think he gives Lana Del Rey,” Gagliardi concurred.
A correction was made on Feb. 26, 2026. A previous photo caption in this article stated that Jake Pryor was a member of the Class of 2028.