
DATE: Thursday, May 15, 1997                TAG: 9705140118

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 08   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: COURTLAND                         LENGTH:   67 lines

GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL STUDENT IS VERY DETERMINED ACTRESS

Kimberlyn Crate was the lead angel in a church play and was supposed to deliver her line while standing on a chair.

But, Kimberlyn, 6, saw another 6-year-old angel standing on her chair. Knowing the importance, even at that age, of sticking to the script, she took action.

``Kimby knocked the other girl off the chair and didn't miss a beat,'' recalled her mother, Maggie Piasecki. ``She went right into - ``Fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy.''

Performing brings the 14-year-old Southampton High School student great joy.

Today through Saturday she is featured in a Stephen Sondheim musical, ``Merrily We Roll Along,'' at Norfolk's Wells Theatre. The musical features songs and styles of the 1950s to the 1970s.

Kimberlyn alternates between being a waitress, portraying an actress at an audition, and joining the chorus in her nightgown.

``I like the music - it's neat,'' she said. ``I like all kinds of normal music - I listen to everything except country - well - rarely.''

Kimberlyn and music are as one. She is a first-year student at the Governor's School For the Arts, yet was given a lead role in ``The Magic Flute,'' the school Vocal Department's fall production.

``I like to do musicals,'' she said, ``but I'll also be happy with regular plays.''

Kimberlyn's goal is Broadway - or Norfolk.

``I'd like to make it to Broadway,'' she said. ``If not, I'd like to teach at the Governor's School.''

Attendance at that prestigious school of the arts has been Kimberlyn's dream since the fifth grade.

The class took a field trip to see a production. This year, the dream came true, and she intends to stay with it through high school.

``She gets home at seven, except when there's practice,'' her mother said. ``Then, she's home 9:30 or 10. Last week it was midnight. She's so dedicated.''

``Governor's School kids stay so busy,'' Kimberlyn said. ``We're different than other kids. In Governor's we have one thing in common, and it's something we're all dedicated to.''

She goes for every aspect of showbusiness.

Kimberlyn is self-taught as a singer and a dancer. ``I can sing, I can act, I can dance - sort-of.''

``Kimberlyn began at an early age. When she was about four-years-old she wrote her own plays, copying television shows and movies she liked. She and her cousins would put them on,'' her mother said. ``The whole family would sit around and watch.''

Other area children appearing in ``Merrily We Roll Along'' are Michael Bryant of Franklin High School, Tanya Jones of Southampton High, and Belvy Russ and Mandy Stallings, Smithfield High School. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Kimberlyn Crate has a role in the Sondheim musical, ``Merrily We

Roll Along,'' at Norfolk's Wells Theatre.

Graphic

ABOUT THE EVENT

WHAT: The Governor's School For the Arts Theatre Department

presents ``Merrily We Roll Along.''

WHEN: 8 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: The Wells Theatre, Tazewell and Monticello, Norfolk.

TICKETS: Reserved seat tickets are $8. Call 683-5549.