Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 4, 1994 TAG: 9408050036
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By KEVIN KITTREDGE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COPPER HILL LENGTH: Medium
She hopes the kids here noticed.
``When they see me, I am 100 percent total possibility,'' said Willis, a Roanoke native and one-time Patrick Henry High School cheerleader, who is now an actress and director in New York City. ``Someone can say, `I know her, and she did this and this and this.' And that's better than any star on TV.''
Willis was artist-in-residence at Apple Ridge Farm's Academic Day Camp this summer. Her three-week stay at the Floyd County camp ended Friday.
The Blue Ridge mountain camp for children from the Roanoke housing projects is in its sixth season. It teaches inner-city kids language and communication skills, and examines the things people do for a living, said founder Peter Lewis. The camp stresses the importance of education and of avoiding self-destructive behavior.
Willis' visit is a ground breaker, Lewis said. It marks the first time drama has been offered on the Apple Ridge menu - as well as the camp's first taste of celebrity.
Willis, who lives in Queens, N.Y., has performed at many theaters and has been involved in projects with Quincy Jones, Sissy Houston, Linda Lavin and rap group Salt-N -Pepa.
She recently directed a play, ``No Laughing Matter,'' at Harlem's landmark Apollo Theater (Willis said she has not yet performed at Roanoke's Mill Mountain Theatre, but wants to).
``We feel very fortunate to have her here,'' said Lewis, who conceived the Apple Ridge camp and donated 8.4 acres to the project himself. ``She's a very talented woman.'' Lewis said he hopes WIllis' example will show the kids what they might achieve if they work hard.
Willis worked with 60 to 70 children during her stay, giving workshops on drama, poetry and dance. In the drama workshop, the kids wrote and performed their own skit, Willis said.
``I told them they could come up with any situation they thought was threatening to their neighborhood and the world in general,'' Willis said. They chose drugs.
Willis said it is important for children to have a creative outlet for the tensions in their lives.
``If you don't find a way to ventilate what's bottled up inside you, it will explode,'' said Willis, who has a 7-year-old son of her own, Aaron. ``It shows up somewhere.''
Willis, who graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1980, dates her own theatrical career from age 6, when she played the Virgin Mary in a church play. ``I started right at the top,'' she jokes of the role.
After appearing in school productions here, she went on to study drama and theater arts at North Carolina A&T State University, where she was known for her roles in ``Ain't Misbehaving'' and ``To be Young Gifted and Black.''
Then she lit out for New York - famous city of shipwrecked dreams. Instead of sinking, however, she has sailed.
``My parents have always said, `Whatever you want to do, you can do it,' '' Willis said. Her parents are James and Jeanette Willis of 1234 Loudon Ave. N.W.
She and Lewis are hoping a little of that ``can-do'' spirit will rub off on the Roanoke kids. ``I have them repeat, `I am what I am, because I say that I am,' '' Willis said.
Lewis met Willis when she was still a high school student. She had come to perform at a school where he was teaching.
``We kept in touch over the years,'' said Lewis, who currently works for the Roanoke school system. He said bringing Willis to Apple Ridge was something he has long had in the back of his mind - and this summer it finally worked out.
WIllis said she will receive a ``stipend'' for her efforts. She does not know what it will be and said it isn't why she came.
``What I know more than anything else is part of my success is my willingness to give back,'' Willis said.
by CNB