WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Wichitan is one of the cast members of the new movie “West Side Story”.

Iris Menas graduated from Wichita East High School in 2008. Menas continued to perform on Broadway and now plays the character, Anybodys, in the new film.

“Incredibly proud of Iris and everything that has happened over the past few years. Very exciting to see what the future holds for Iris as well,” said Derrick Gronewold, theater director at East High School.

For 12 years, Menas was a student at the Kansas Dance Academy east of Wichita.

“They started when they were little kids and grew up and graduated in the studio. They were in company and they were always great dancers, ”said Diane Gans, owner of Kansas Dance Academy.

Gans is also friends with Menas’ mother Amy, who is currently in New York City.

“It makes me personally very proud and it shows it just because you’re here in the middle of the United States, in Wichita, Kansas; kids can still come out and be successful in this performance world, if they really want to, ”said Gans.

The new version of Steven Spielberg’s film hits theaters today. For more information on the film, click here.

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