Aurora

I was eight years old when I saw The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at New England Youth Theatre (NEYT). When I saw that show, I thought to myself, "This is what I want to do." The kids were so vibrant and exciting! I wanted to act!

I waited until two years later, when I was 10, to try out for my first show-one that Stephen Stearns and Peter Amidon wrote called Princess Willow and the King of Thieves. The audition process was a little overwhelming, and I'll admit I was soooo nervous. I didn't get in, but I got a wonderful phone call from Stephen, who told me I should maybe take a class and that I should definitely continue at NEYT.

So then I decided to take a beginning acting class, and have taken many more since. It was because of Uncle Stevie's friendliness and encouragement that I went on and became an actor. So far, the shows I've been in are: The Scheme of the Driftless Shifter as Lady in the Hat, June 2005; The Sound of Music as Louisa (double-cast), December 2005; Winnie-the-Pooh as Christopher Robin, February 2006; Murder by Indecision as Sophie Greedly, June 2006; As You Like It as Le Beau, A Comic Tree, and Phoebe, July 2006; and currently Oliver as one of Fagin's Gang of Thieves, December 2006. Besides acting and singing, I love playing soccer, writing stories and poems, emailing my friends, playing my clarinet, being with my pets (cat, dog and goats) and traveling.

My favorite character that I have played so far is Sophie Greedly from Murder by Indecision. It was a really fun role because of all the energy! I was the 60-year old wife to Taylor Patno's character, Victor Greedly. I got to wear a great red dress and a hat with a veil...and clip-on earrings that pinched. But now I have pierced ears, so no more painful earrings ever (I hope). We also had a lot of emotional fight scenes together, and the whole show was hilarious! All in all that was an enjoyable experience because I love making people laugh!

Acting has changed me by making me less shy. I also love the challenge of putting a show together. The NEYT crew is like one big family. I have never felt like I wasn't safe, and everyone is always so friendly. Many people have helped me, from the directors to the older kids, and now I can help mentor to those just starting out. Being at NEYT is always fun, and it's a great environment to work in. There are some students who would like to take up acting professionally, and maybe I will too. There is just something special about real live theatre that makes me love it more than movies or TV. Each show is unique, and there are always new people to meet at NEYT. I can't wait till we move to the new location! This little theatre has changed my life, and there will always be a special place in my heart for everyone I meet here.