I’ve been in 12 theatre productions and have to say 13 is one of my favorites. The music is great and the show is awesome. I’ve had a lot of fun with this cast. We’ve hung out together at Dave & Busters and other places. Some of us even sang the national anthem at the Dynamo Game. This makes the scenes where we are friends on the show seem more real because we’ve gotten to know each other. I’m the only actual 13 year old in the show but the cast has been great. I can relate to some of the things in the show like Evan planning his party. I had to decide where I should have my big 13th birthday party. I ended up having a laser tag party. It was a big decision where I should have it so I understand why the party place is such a big deal to Evan.
My character in 13 is Archie. He is living with a disabling disease but has such a great sense of humor about it. He laughs at himself to make others feel more comfortable. I don’t have to live with anything as serious as that but being a guy who likes to sing, dance and act can be tough at times because kids will make fun of you and want to know what sport you do or when you’re going to take a break to focus on something like athletics or just hanging out. I won a comedic monologue contest a year ago doing a spin on a bully wanting me to teach him to dance since the school dance was coming up so like Archie I’ve learned to laugh with others about it. That’s a great thing about being in an all teen cast where all of us have tons of the same interests. I know no one will make fun of me for singing or dancing.
I think the parents who see the show will get some insight in to how much pressure there is to fit in at school, make the grade, get a date, etc. For the teens who see the show I hope they’ll see in the end it doesn’t matter how many friends you have but the quality of the friendships you have. My biggest hope is that those who see the show will be nicer to those who seem a little different. I just got to spend some time in California with a girl who had muscular dystrophy like Archie in the show has. Even though she has struggles with upper body movements, she was just like me – likes to sing, swim, laugh and hates homework. It made me appreciate no matter what we look like on the outside, it’s how we act and who we are that counts.
Showing posts with label muscular dystrophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label muscular dystrophy. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Channel 2 News Story
Special Needs Group Helps Actor
Actor, 13, Plays Boy With Muscular Dystrophy
POSTED: Monday, September 7, 2009
UPDATED: 2:42 pm CDT September 7, 2009
HOUSTON -- Every summer, Theatre Under The Stars reaches out to The River For Performing and Visual Arts to help budding artists with special needs find new ways to express themselves.
FIND IT: The Musical 13 From Tuts
This summer, it's was The River's chance to help give a Tuts actor a leg up on his new role.
On top of learning new songs and fancy footwork with the rest of the cast for Theatre Under The Stars' new musical 13, Shawn Hardin had to learn to do it with Muscular Dystrophy.
"My hands are always sore at the end of every rehearsal," he said. "I have learned it is not as easy as it looks."
Hardin, 13, does not have the disease, but Archie, the character he plays does.
"I had always thought it was just regular walking but it is opposite of that," he said. "I learned they walk on their toes because they don't have enough strength to move their Achilles."
For some extra help learning to be Archie, Hardin turned The River For Performing and Visual Arts.
"We were thrilled to be able to work with him and give him some idea of what it is like to walk in those shoes outside of a stage," said Sandy Wicoff, The River director.
Wicoff said it is usually Tuts lending her group a hand, helping teach children with disabilities and chronic illness how to do anything from making music to dance.
So, The River was more than happy to return the favor.
"These professionals come in and teach the kids the art that they love and it shows and the kids really shine," Susan Hurst said.
Shawn and Susan Hurst talked about what she saw watching her sister struggle with cerebral palsy.
"It is good to give a different perspective, maybe a more personal perspective," Susan Hurst said.
Hardin said that for the role of Archie, it was all about keeping it real.
"Which is why I have done so much research to make sure it doesn't look fake," Hardin said.
For more on the musical 13, which will be held Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 at Zilkha Hall, visit www.tuts.com.
Copyright 2009 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Actor, 13, Plays Boy With Muscular Dystrophy
POSTED: Monday, September 7, 2009
UPDATED: 2:42 pm CDT September 7, 2009
HOUSTON -- Every summer, Theatre Under The Stars reaches out to The River For Performing and Visual Arts to help budding artists with special needs find new ways to express themselves.
FIND IT: The Musical 13 From Tuts
This summer, it's was The River's chance to help give a Tuts actor a leg up on his new role.
On top of learning new songs and fancy footwork with the rest of the cast for Theatre Under The Stars' new musical 13, Shawn Hardin had to learn to do it with Muscular Dystrophy.
"My hands are always sore at the end of every rehearsal," he said. "I have learned it is not as easy as it looks."
Hardin, 13, does not have the disease, but Archie, the character he plays does.
"I had always thought it was just regular walking but it is opposite of that," he said. "I learned they walk on their toes because they don't have enough strength to move their Achilles."
For some extra help learning to be Archie, Hardin turned The River For Performing and Visual Arts.
"We were thrilled to be able to work with him and give him some idea of what it is like to walk in those shoes outside of a stage," said Sandy Wicoff, The River director.
Wicoff said it is usually Tuts lending her group a hand, helping teach children with disabilities and chronic illness how to do anything from making music to dance.
So, The River was more than happy to return the favor.
"These professionals come in and teach the kids the art that they love and it shows and the kids really shine," Susan Hurst said.
Shawn and Susan Hurst talked about what she saw watching her sister struggle with cerebral palsy.
"It is good to give a different perspective, maybe a more personal perspective," Susan Hurst said.
Hardin said that for the role of Archie, it was all about keeping it real.
"Which is why I have done so much research to make sure it doesn't look fake," Hardin said.
For more on the musical 13, which will be held Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 at Zilkha Hall, visit www.tuts.com.
Copyright 2009 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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