Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 4, 1994                   TAG: 9403040061
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: DUBLIN                                LENGTH: Medium

PCHS ACTOR TO TRY FOR ROBIN ROLE

It came as a total surprise to senior Aaron Parks when his drama teacher told him about it Thursday.

The teacher, Rhonda Welsh, and another drama student, Penny Norris, had filled out a casting director's application as a lark while waiting to leave for one-act drama competition several weeks ago. They mailed it off and forgot about it. Parks had a good laugh when they told him about it, too.

Now, Welsh will be taking him to Washington on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. appointment with casting director Mali Finn who has also been involved in the casting of the "Alien" and "Terminator" movies.

Finn had sent out application forms to high schools, drama schools and many other places for a general casting call during the day today seeking a young actor to play Batman's sidekick.

Welsh said that such open calls generally draw hundreds of actors, each of whom has about one minute to try and impress the director. But Parks is skipping the general call and having what may be one of the first private auditions following the general call.

Welsh said she does not even remember what she wrote in her letter of recommendation. Parks has been involved in the drama program during all four of his years at Pulaski County High, and chosen this year by judges at district and state one-act play competition as one of the best actors.

"Not only did I think they would not get in touch with us, I didn't even put the phone number of the high school," Welsh said. She was shocked Friday when someone at the school called to tell her a Warner Brothers representative was trying to get in touch with her.

Then she had to find Parks, who has no phone at home, and get him ready for the trip. The school's drama program has no money left for student trips, but Welsh said she could not let this opportunity for one of her top students slip by.

"I can't not do this. He's got to get there. Even if he doesn't have a chance, even if he's not what they're looking for . . . that's got to make a college sit up and take notice," she said.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the expenses of the trip can send donations to Welsh, marked for Aaron Parks, to the school at 5414 Cougar Trail Lane, Dublin, Va. 24084.