THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 1996 TAG: 9603270446
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Amanda Chastain was handling her juggling act with ease.
She was performing in ``The Mousetrap'' for the Encore Players, involved in a production at Northeastern High School - later canceled, and rehearsing for the lead in The COAST Players production``The Diary of Anne Frank.''
There was a good amount of competition for that coveted role. Amanda was an obvious choice, according to director, Sandy Boyce who said, ``I worked with her last spring. She impressed me with her maturity level and her strong, articulate voice.''
Maturity, indeed. The 14-year-old freshman expertly portrayed a 24-year-old innkeeper in ``The Mousetrap.''
Maturity. Listen to Amanda: ``My goal is to star and direct on Broadway by the time I'm 30 years old. But acting isn't foolproof. If it doesn't work out I'd like to have a law degree to fall back on - criminal defense.''
Meanwhile - ``I'm on the waiting list for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.''
Articulate. She talks about the College of the Albemarle production: ``Everyone should be educated about this period - World War II, about discrimination against the Jews. This play offers a great opportunity for the community.''
Schoolchildren in the community will be given that opportunity when special performances will be offered at 10 a.m. today and Thursday. Regular performances will be held Friday through Sunday.
``The Diary Of Anne Frank'' is based on the writings of a German-Jewish girl living in Amsterdam. She and her family had hidden in a secret attic in an office building owned by a friend.
The teenager recorded her experiences in a diary that inspired two films and a play.
``The Diary Of Anne Frank'' is becoming a local theater staple, COA picking it up, ``because,'' Boyce said, ``it's something I always wanted to do - and this is the 50th anniversary of the Holocaust.''
Amanda, a straight-A student, class president and cheerleader, has researched the subject.
``I've learned about the feelings everyone actually had, about Anne's positive outlook. One of her lines is, ``I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart.
``It's phenomenal to have that outlook while going through what she did,'' Amanda said. ``I consider her very remarkable. I respect her outlook on life. If there was a 14-year-old I'd strive to be like, it would be her.
``Anne went through a lot,'' she said. ``I hope I'd be half as good a person as she was.'' MEMO: THEATER PREVIEW
WHAT: The COAST Players present ``The Diary Of Anne Frank.''
WHEN: School only performances at 10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
General public performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m.
Sunday.
WHERE: Small Business Center Auditorium, College of the Albemarle.
TICKETS are $5 for adults, $4 for children, $3.50 if you are part of
a group of at least 15 people. For information, call 335-0821. by CNB