Three of the cast members of Theatre Bristol's recent production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! took a few minutes between school performances to talk to A! Magazine.
At St. Anne's School in Bristol, Va., Isabella Valente is a fifth grader and Aubrey Sobczak is a fourth grader. Matthew Torbett is a fourth grader at Blountville Elementary School.
A! Magazine: How did you decide you wanted to be in a show?
Isabella: I went to theatre camp, and I thought it was just one of the most fun things I had ever done, so.I decided to try out (audition).
Aubrey: I've been in 11 shows at Theatre Bristol. I started when I was three in The Wizard of Oz. Before I was even 3, I would perform for my grandma, so when my brother Josh decided to try out, I thought, "Okay, I'll try out, too," to see if I liked it. Well, I loved it!
Matthew: I used to put on plays in my room, and brought my mom and dad in to see them. I auditioned for The Sound of Music, but I didn't make it. I thought it was really fun, so I tried out for this play, and I made it. That's pretty good!
A!: What's the best part about being in a show?
Isabella: Being with all my friends, and making new friends.
Aubrey: Being able to perform in front of other people, and letting them see the talent that I have.
Matthew: Performing is really fun.
A!: What's the hardest part?
Isabella: I'd honestly have to say, sometimes learning your lines.
Aubrey: Probably learning the lines and learning to interact with other people. If there's somebody that you don't really care for that much ? learning to get along with them.
Matthew: I'd say learning the lyrics to the songs.
A!: In Schoolhouse Rock you had to dance. Was that hard?
Isabella: It might be hard, depending on what kind of dance it is. One kind of dance may be hard for one person and not for another.
Aubrey: For other people, it might be harder, but for me it isn't because I've taken dance lessons since I was three.
Matthew: It's pretty easy because I dance a lot at home.
A!: Do you want a career in the theatre, or is this just a hobby?
Isabella: I don't really know because this is my first play. I am really liking it, but I'm not sure if this is what I'd like to do when I grow up. I'd like to do another play here ? I might try out for Seussical the Musical in the spring.
Aubrey: I'm pretty sure that acting is something I'm going to do when I grow up. It's so much fun to be in a play and have all those people watch you and be proud of you.
Matthew: I will try out for more plays, and I think I might be able to do it as a career when I grow up.
A!: Is it hard to audition?
Isabella: Yes. This was my first play, and I was very shy.
Aubrey: It still does make me nervous, especially if there's nobody that I know. If there are friends around me, I don't get as nervous, but I'm still nervous.
Matthew: No! I was very upright. [sic]
A!: Anything else you want people to know about the theatre?
Aubrey: If you really want to try out for a play, don't hold yourself back. You might decide you really like it.
Matthew: Theatre Bristol is a fun place to be, so I recommend that every time you get a chance, you try out for a play.
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Editor's Note: Dottie Havlik is Vice President of the Board of Directors of Arts Alliance Mountain Empire (AAME) and chair of AAME's Arts for Youth Committee
