Lucas Shane

Lucas Shane appears on film and stage

At 9 years old, Lucas Shane has been in two feature films, performed on stage at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and is currently in “Shrek: The Musical” at Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Virginia.

“I got started in theater by watching my sister perform in plays and musicals at Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. My mom says that even at 2 years old, I would sit completely still and pay attention to everything that was happening on stage. I loved watching so much, that as soon as I was old enough, I begged my mom to let me audition, too. My first show was ‘The Lion King (Jr),’ and I was cast as Simba. I’ve been hooked ever since,” he says.

He has performed in “a couple of shows” at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. “Shrek” is his second show at the Barter. Last Christmas he performed at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville in a show produced by the Lythgoe family.

He has also performed in two feature films: “Indivisible” (shot for two months in 2017 on location in Memphis and on set in Los Angeles) which came out in theaters nationwide October 2018, and “Trigger” (shot over five weeks in Franklin, Tennessee), which will come out sometime later this year.

“I loved playing Max in ‘Trigger’ because it was a heavy role, and I really got to act. ‘Trigger’ is definitely not a movie for kids, and I was the only kid on set, but all the other actors and crew members treated me like an adult. That was a really fun experience.

“The thing that always interests me most about every production is being able to meet and learn from new people. In everything I’ve done professionally so far, I’ve most often been the only (or one of the only) kids involved. I love being able to be around adults that have worked so hard on their skill and being able to develop friendships with them,” he says.

In his current role at Barter, he plays two characters: young Shrek and a dwarf. He was previously in “The Lemonade Stand.”

“Young Shrek is really cool because I get to be painted green. When I heard that I was going to be able to audition, I was super excited that I would get to be green if I got the role. When I’m on stage as the dwarf, it’s fun because I get to yell at my friend Samuel who plays Lord Farquaad, and it’s a funny moment in the show. Playing two characters seems like a lot to hear it, but trust me, my castmates are doing way more than that. It seems that if someone isn’t on stage, they’re probably changing costumes for the next scene. This show is so much fun to do, but the amount of work that everyone has put into it is amazing and I’m so proud to share the stage with them. The crew is fabulous, too, and they move those big set pieces around and make it seem so easy, and I know it’s not.

“The people at Barter are the reason I love working here so much. The actors that I am lucky enough to share the stage with are amazing. Barrett and Katy are both fantastic directors that I’m glad I’ve been able to learn from. I just feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of the Barter community and I can’t wait for my next opportunity here. To me, theater means family and community. Everyone is so welcoming and accepting of each other, and the world really needs more of that. It’s also hard work and time consuming, but it’s so rewarding,” Lucas says.

Lucas says he likes dramas and comedies, but musical theatre is where his heart is - because he gets to sing and dance as well as act. He has been taking dance for two years and began competing this year.

His biggest influence is his sister, Taylor.

“If she hadn’t helped me develop such a love and passion for acting, I wouldn’t have been able to have all the great experiences that I’ve had. My mom is a huge influence and supporter for me -" she helps me audition, comes with me to every job (even though she has a job, too), and makes sure I am always safe and taken care of. Two more big influences for me early on were DeAnna and Dishon Smith; I loved doing shows with/for them and they really helped my love for the stage grow and grow. I’m also influenced by every actor, every director, every producer and every crew member I come across - everyone I’ve worked with has been very welcoming and has taught me something. I even learned how to work the boom mic on my last film,” he says.

Lucas plans to keep acting and auditioning. He lives in Jonesborough, Tennessee. He is the son of Marsha and Shane Boyle. He is home schooled and is a rising fourth grader.