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Meet Brandon McKinney "A Christmas Story, The Musical"

By Photo - Jay Paul December 9, 2016

Tell us a little about yourself, age, school, siblings etc.. 

My name is Brandon McKinney, I am 13 years old and I attend Holman Middle School in Henrico County.  I have four brothers, two older and two younger.  My oldest brother is a freshman at Virginia Tech.  My other brothers are in 10th grade, 6th grade and 4th grade. We also have three dogs, a fish and a pet tarantula named Itsy.

How did you get started in acting, how old were you? 

My parents say they knew from an early age that I liked to entertain.  When I was three I would stand on the coffee table and perform for anyone that was willing to watch.  When I was seven I signed up for my first theatre class with Character Works.  When I turned 8 I auditioned for my first play, Annie, with Character Works.  I was in the ensemble and I loved it.  That is when I knew I wanted to be on the stage.

What is your all time favorite role that you have played? 

I have loved all the roles I have played.  If I had to pick one, I would say my favorite role was Noah in Caroline or Change at Virginia Rep’s Cadence Theatre.  It was different than any other role I had ever played.  I also love working in the small theatre where I could see the audience and play off their reactions.

What role would you love to play? 

I would love to be in Billy Elliott!  I have seen it many times and I love the story line and the character.  I also love all of the dancing.

Do you have a favorite play that you have seen or want to see? 

The next time I make it New York I would like to see Waitress.  I like the music in the show and would love to see it live on the stage.

What are your long term goals? 

I hope to go to college and major in musical theatre.  Then I plan to move to New York and try to make it on Broadway.

How do you manage finding time for fun and your theatre interests? 

Theatre takes up a great deal of my time but I love it.  Theatre is fun to me, there is no place I would rather be.  I have made many friends and I enjoy spending time with them on the stage.

What do you like to do when you are not acting? 

When I am not acting I spend most of my time hanging out with my brothers.  We play video games together and we love to play sports outside.  Having four brothers always gives me someone to hang out with.

Do you have a favorite movie, book, food? 

My favorite book is Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  I have read that book numerous times and I still get emotional every time I read it.  I don’t watch many movies but I love to eat junk food.  I have recently developed a love for carrot cake.  Here is a little secret, during A Christmas Story I have to gobble down a big helping of meatloaf.  I am not a big meatloaf fan so they use carrot cake instead of meatloaf.  It looks a lot like meatloaf and it is easy to gobble down carrot cake.  That is top secret so don’t tell anyone.

Any suggestions / advice for the readers and their children that you can share?

Whatever your dream is, big or small, never give up.  I have been following my dreams ever since I auditioned for my first role.  I know it will not be easy to make it on Broadway but I plan to follow my dream and you should follow yours too!

For ticket info, click here.