By Meaghan Breen
and Tyler Maheu
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT — The two leads of last weekend’s production of “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” at the Newport Opera House brought ample experience to the stage.
Mount Royal Academy (MRA) sophomore Amelia Caravan and junior Walker Earle discussed their theatrical roots.
“I had a couple friends at a camp I went to, and they wanted me to do theater for the camp show,” Earle said. “I got interested in that.” The camp’s show was “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged, Revised.’ He was co-host, Othello singer, and Hamlet player. At Mount Royal, he starred in “Oliver Twist,” “Tempest,” and “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” Those experiences encouraged him.
He stuck with it and noted the positives for students, especially memorization skills and public speaking.
Caravan said her mom turned her on to theater.
“When I was little, I always liked to sing, dance, and act.” she said. Her mom suggested she combine them in theater.
She started under the bright lights in Newport. Early on she played Tiger Lily in “Peter Pan.”
Mount Royal’s theater program and her mom supported her passion. Her mom suggested the experience would draw attention to her college applications.
As she became more involved, she encouraged younger actors. “I try to put on my best show and face for the younger kids.”
Earle brought Aslan to life, while Caravan tackled the villainous White Witch in the MRA and Newport Opera House Association’s joint production.
Earle noted Aslan’s sacrificial role and support of the children. “I think it is such a strong leadership role that is embodied by Aslan but has a soft understanding side for all the animals, especially all the children.”
Caravan spoke to her role as the heel.
“I like playing the villain because it gets me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I didn’t usually like being the villain because I don’t like yelling at people, being scared, or scaring the kids.” But after playing the villain in Oliver Twist, she branched out. “I felt like I could do the Witch,” she said of her new-found confidence.
While both enjoy theatrical acting, they aim for the silver screen.
“I’m mainly an artistic person; I’m not much of a formal guy,” Earle said. “I think maybe theatrical acting I could probably do but I’m more interested in movie and film acting.” He’s currently writing a script.
Caravan noted the positives of theater, despite her ultimate goal. “This is fun. I like doing this, and it’ll keep me entertained through high school.”
“I like pretending to be other characters because I don’t feel comfortable with who I am myself,” Earle stated. “But, whenever I step into the mind of a character, I’m able to embody them and it feels so much better than being a normal human being, living an everyday life. I want to fulfill a fantasy that can really entertain people and make them fully engage with the acting.”
The skilled young actors bring empathy, passion, maturity, and a unique edge to their respective roles, and are set for a promising future.
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