ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 17, 1997 TAG: 9702190007
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN GRIESSMAYER STAFF WRITER
Acting is a whole lot harder than it looks. It's more than just playing make-believe or doing that Jim Carrey impression you've been working on.
There's memorizing your lines. Actors often spend hours each day reading and trying to remember pages and pages of dialogue.
There's rehearsal. Actors have to practice their characters almost every day.
Then there's the fear and stress of knowing you'll be performing in front of hundreds - or even thousands - of people. That's like giving a speech in front of your class ... times a hundred!
Der Hicks and S.J. Ambrose, fourth-graders at Westside Elementary School in Roanoke, know all about how challenging acting can be. But they also know that it's rewarding and a lot of fun.
"The hard thing about acting is you really have to work at it to remember your lines," S.J. said. "But it's worth it at the end of the play. That's the fun part."
Der and S.J. were picked to play the character Travis in Mill Mountain Theatre's production of the play "A Raisin in the Sun." They beat out at least 10 other kids who auditioned for the part.
You're probably wondering why two kids are playing the same character. How does that work?
The director of "A Raisin in the Sun" wanted to use two boys so that they could take turns playing the role. The rehearsals take up a lot of time and the performances sometimes run late, so taking turns prevents Der and S.J. from getting behind in their schoolwork.
The two had been in school plays together, but never anything this complicated.
"The play is about a family that's going through some rough times," according to S.J. The family is struggling to achieve its dreams of higher education, better jobs and a bigger place to live.
"It has a happy ending, though," S.J. said.
In the play, Travis Younger is the only child in a house with four other adults.
"Travis is a normal kid," Der said. "He likes to go outside and play sports, like stickball."
Der and S.J. can relate to that. Both are looking forward to getting back to playing basketball when the play ends.
In fact, when asked what they wanted to do when they grow up, both immediately exclaimed "Play basketball!" Being movie stars never seemed to enter their minds. If sports doesn't work out as a career, Der said he wants to be an artist or an architect. S.J. wants to be a director or newspaper reporter.
For now, they're both glad to have the opportunity to show their stuff in front of 400 people each night. And since the play opened on Friday, they haven't had time to be very nervous.
"The only thing that makes me nervous is that schools - like our school - are coming to watch," S.J. said. "I'm more nervous about performing in front of other kids than in front of adults."
Der said he wasn't nervous at all, but there's a lot to remember.
"I've already performed in front of lots of people," he said. "But sometimes it's hard know the right place you're supposed to be on stage."
Both young actors agreed that Travis might just steal the show and get all the big laughs.
"Everyone will probably laugh when Travis struts across the stage," Der said. "And when he hits Beneatha on the butt with a towel."
Der also said that some kids might think acting is all fun and they might be jealous, but he wanted to remind them that it's a big commitment.
Rehearsals were four hours long, five days a week for two weeks before the play opened. After that, there's a performance every night, Wednesday through Sunday, with two performances on Saturday. Plus there are eight weekday performances for local students.
"I also spend time at home going over my lines," Der said. "I'll practice before I go to bed or after I finish my homework or sometimes before school."
All that hard work pays off during the performances, though, when Der or S.J. stands on stage in front of a packed house and delivers his lines with feeling.
It all becomes worthwhile when they hear that audience applaud.
"At the end, it feels really good that you did it," S.J. said.
"Yeah," Der agreed. "Making people smile is good, too."
"A Raisin in the Sun" will be performed at Mill Mountain Theatre through March 9. For ticket information, call 342-5740.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: JANEL RHODA STAFF. 1. S.J. Ambrose (above left) and Derby CNBHicks share the role of Travis in Mill Mountain Theatre's production
of "A Raisin in the Sun." 2. Steve (left) rehearses a scene with
actress Betty Vaughn, who plays his grandmother. color.