Student Spotlight: Mihajlo Gajic '26

Since starting as a new III Former, Mihajlo Gajic ’26 has grown to become a well-known presence on Lawrenceville’s stages, recently being named one of Lawrenceville’s first Artists of the Week. His involvement in performing arts at Lawrenceville began immediately upon his arrival at the School, being cast as Dominique Bretodeau in the Periwig Club’s 2023 Fall Musical, Amélie. Gajic attended preseason for this musical even before attending his first class at Lawrenceville, preemptively alluding to his impressive and expansive future in the Performing Arts Department. From acting to dancing, he has made a significant impact on Lawrenceville’s arts in a way that is impossible not to admire. Gajic is a part of Impulse; the Philharmonic Orchestra as a percussionist; the Allegro Council; the upcoming Fall Play Reading; Bold Athletes Dancing, a beloved En Corps group that performs at each dance series; the Lawrenceville Film-Making Club; a current Assistant Acting Representative on the Periwig Council; and the Baker in the upcoming production of Into the Woods, the 2024 Fall Musical. 

Gajic’s dedication is appreciated by his fellow cast and crew mates—teachers and students alike speak highly of his talent and passion for the performing arts. 

Co-President of Periwig Mimie Pinpakornkul ’25 describes Gajic as “a great actor to work with,” notably mentioning that anyone who comes across his work will be able to tell that he is “passionate in what he does.” 

Adding onto the praise, Matina Yanovich ’26, who often acts with him, described her experience performing with Gajic as “both the easiest and hardest thing [she has] ever done.” “He’s so good at it [that he] makes me want to be better, [and] he never fails to make everyone feel comfortable,” Yanovich explained.

Gajic’s journey in the arts began far before Lawrenceville, though. In Serbia, his home country, Gajic participated in a multitude of community plays. Reminiscing upon his first play, he explained the experience that marked the beginning of his love for performing. “It was a 10-minute play,” he noted, “but it was a big thing for me because I had never done it before, and I really liked it.” Beyond this play, he first found his passion for acting in watching movies as a child, “When I was 12 or 13, I loved watching movies, and I was like: ‘I want to try this.’” This led to his enrollment in his first acting classes, and the rest is history. 

His acting journey has not always been straightforward, though, with time management and scheduling clashes creating constant obstacles to balancing academics and arts. Gajic credits Allan P. Kirby Chair for Performing Arts and Director of Theatre Matthew Campbell for helping him along his journey. Since coming in as a new III Former, Campbell helped him in many respects, from scheduling and optimizing his time to helping him evolve his talents in rehearsals. “[Campbell] has been there [for me] every step of the way,” Gajic adds, “If it [weren’t] for him, I probably would not have been doing half of the things that I am now,” including his part in the upcoming musical production. Gajic mentioned that his role as the Baker is his favorite role so far, remarking that although the commitment is time consuming, “it is really interesting, and [he is] having so much fun.” 

Yanovich summarizes Gajic’s role in Lawrenceville’s arts best: “Periwig is lucky to have him in the musical.” Lawrenceville is lucky to have him as well, as an example of how to find balance and joy outside of the classroom.