We are excited to have had a chance to talk with Bobbie, who is starring as Annie in the CYT performance starting 11/18 and running through 11/27. Thank you Bobbie for finding the time to answer some questions and share with all of our Macaroni Kid Readers!
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am 12 years old and in the seventh grade at Orchard House School. I love theatre and have been in productions with Theatre IV, Sparc, the Henrico Theatre Company and Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion . Annie is my fourth production with CYT. I also have been swimming with NOVA swimming for 10 years. I live with my parents and my sister Paige, who is 15 and has autism.
What do you do when you are not acting?
I really love acting, singing and dancing which, of course, takes up a lot of my free time. I have just started learning to play the piano. Also, I love to swim and hang out with my friends.
What is your favorite subject at school?
They are all great, but right now I am really enjoying English and History. My teachers are really funny and interesting.
Do you think you will pursue a career in performing?
I have always wanted to be on Broadway, but I know it is really hard to make that dream come true. If it doesn’t work out, I either hope to pursue another career in theatre or become an architect or occupational therapist.
Do you have any special things that you do to help prepare you before a show?
I always drink lots of water and try to get into the character. For Annie I am going to try to not talk very much but I am not sure how that is going to work out. ïŠ
When did you first get involved with the theatre?
For many years, I attended Barksdale/Theatre IV’s summer camp, so I decided to audition for their production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. “ After that production, I was hooked. My music teacher introduced me to CYT and I auditioned for my first show “Willy Wonka” . I have been having a great time doing theatre ever since.
Are you involved in theatre at school?
At my school you have rotating arts block classes each quarter. I am very excited because this quarter my class has drama and we will be doing a production for the school’s Winter Ceremony. The other arts block classes are dance, music and art and we are lucky to have great teachers for all of them.
Do you take voice lessons and dance lessons?
I have been taking music/voice for a while although the teacher does not officially work on the mechanics of your voice until your voice has matured – usually age 12 or after. I love dance and would love to be able to take it more, but it tends to be the class that I have to drop when my schedule is too full. I took lessons for about 6 years and I got to work with the Minds in Motion group last spring. I have also started doing some ballet when time allows.
Tell me about your experience with CYT – what do you like the most?
I really like the way that CYT is one big family. Everyone is really supportive of everyone else which is great. The parent support is also really amazing. I love being in a CYT production – it’s a great experience. Everyone is amazing and I couldn’t ask for more ïŠ
How is your family involved?
My Mom loves theatre also, so she drives me around, takes me to shows and has worked on the props committee for all of the CYT shows I have done. My Dad is really more of a sports fan than a theatre fan although he always comes to my shows. My sister has to have someone with her all of the time and my Dad is great about staying with her so my Mom and I can go to and participate in shows.
It is pretty neat that you look like Annie and will be playing her, has this been a wish of yours?
Annie is definitely a dream role for me. People have been calling me Annie since I was very little and I used to love to sing "Tomorrow" to anyone who would listen. I am so glad I got to play it before I got too old!!
What advice would you give to other young actors that want to pursue this path?
Well, auditions are nerve wracking, but you are not going to get cast if you don’t audition. And once you are cast it is definitely worth it. Also, just because you have some setbacks don’t give up – everyone has them.
What is HYPE? Tell me about your experience with HYPE ?
The goal of HYPE is to challenge and grow the advanced students of CYT to be leaders in and outside of CYT, and get involved by serving the community around them. To look at all aspects of theater, not just from the actor’s point of view. And to continue to grow as an individual, committing themselves to excellence in all they do.
Each September, HYPE welcomes new High School applicants (ages 14-18) for the current year. Students involved in HYPE will participate in on-going service projects like drama workshops with at-risk kids at Youth Life Foundation, international missions fundraising, CYT mentoring, and special events. HYPE will also promote spiritual growth in students at their meetings through devotions, prayer and worship. HYPE is an excellent way for students to learn to use their God-given gifts to serve the community inside and outside of CYT!
Some of the orphans, Miss Hannigan and I were excited to get the opportunity to go with HYPE to meet some of the children at Youth Life that they work with. We sang and taught them the dance to"Hard Knock Life". It was really, really fun and the kids were hilarious.
