THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607190707
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: AHOSKIE LENGTH: 77 lines
A GALLERY THEATRE STAPLE is now removing staples.
Jennifer Joyner, a regular on the Ahoskie stage, is spending this summer transferring records to microfilm at RC Enterprises in Ahoskie, N.C.
``Pulling out staples, you have to do that when you're transferring film to microfilm,'' Jennifer said.
Also, this summer, the 21-year-old actress is one of the ``Gallery Kids,'' eight young local stage veterans making a profitable farewell appearance tonight on the downtown Ahoskie theater stage.
It is a scholarship concert; the proceeds from the price of admission go to the performers to further their training.
There is still more cash for the Gallery Kids - $1,500 more.
Individuals in the community, showing their appreciation for the talent they have enjoyed over the years, have chipped in that amount.
The performers from Hertford and Gates counties are working hard for that scholarship money, performing tonight in ``Gallery Kids'' using a setting similar to the one used by Johnny Carson on the ``Tonight Show.''
They will do off-the-cuff interviews that will include clips from earlier Gallery appearances. The rest of the offerings, in the tradition of variety shows, will feature singing, dancing and dramatic scenes.
Technically, the young stars are billed as amateurs, but their performances are professional; for them, show business is a labor of love. It is their profession of choice.
``I want a career as an actress. What I got out of working little theater is so important,'' Jennifer said.
``The Gallery was a second home,'' said Emily Jernigan, 18, who has been in 10 plays there. She will attend East Carolina University in Greenville this fall to study musical theater.
``Then, I'll try New York,'' she said. ``My dream is Broadway or a tour with a theater company.''
Amy Jernigan, Jennifer's 19-year-old sister, is another local stage veteran, first stepping on that stage in 1986.
She is the only one of the eight not heading for a showbiz career.
``I want to do public relations with a corporation. I enjoy making people look good,'' Amy said, ``but I definitely have to work for a company I believe in.''
Allen Rascoe believes he will make it in opera.
``I hope to sing in an opera house, somewhere,'' said the 18-year-old East Carolina University sophomore. He is attending the School of Music where he appeared in Mozart's ``Cosi fan tutte.''
Allen and most of his Gallery friends were initially bitten by the show-business bug while in high school.
``Working at the Gallery is a lot different - harder and more exciting,'' said 17-year-old Angie Harrell, who is also interested in becoming a professional performer. She is studying theater at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
The University of North Carolina-Wilmington was Jennifer Joyner's home away from home. Her next stop is Louisiana State University for graduate study in theater.
``Gallery Kids,'' and the profits it is expected to reap, is Ahoskie's way of saying thanks for a job well done and, for the future, ``break a leg'' in your career. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
FRANK ROBERTS/The Virginian-Pilot
Allen Rascoe and Emily Jernigan, both 18, rehearse for tonight's
scholarship performance.
Graphic
What: ``Gallery Kids,'' a variety show
When: 8 tonight
Where: Gallery Theatre, Main St., Ahoskie
Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for students. Proceeds will be used
for scholarship money for the young performers.
Call: (919) 332-2976
The Gallery is also conducting a summer children's theater
workshop. by CNB