Meet Keeley and Isabel!
TRAIN students are starting off the New Year with amazing new accomplishments in their performance careers. First-year students Keeley Maddux and Isabel Lewis, both 11 years old, will soon be making their Virginia Repertory Theatre debuts in the Tony Award-winning Once. Both young actors are excited to use the skills they’ve gained in their TRAIN experience to work with the artists at our partner theatre and share the role of Ivanka, the shy daughter of Girl, the female lead of the show.
With Once only a week away from opening, each TRAIN-er shared a few insights for us about the show, TRAIN, and their acting ambitions.
Keely
How did you get started acting?
I got started in acting when I was about six years old and performed in The Jungle Book in August Adventures. I was a monkey… and I was hooked!
Favorite thing about TRAIN?
TRAIN stands out to me because it gives me a lot of information about theater that I can absorb and immediately use in performances… and in life! Even though it’s a lot of hard work, I don’t mind, because I’m doing what I love.
Favorite role so far?
That’s tough, but I have to say Ursula in Bye Bye Birdie. I had the opportunity to make decisions about my character and how I portrayed her. Also, I got to scream a lot!
Dream role?
Oh my gosh, that’s hard! l have always loved the part of Sarah in Ragtime, but if I had to pick, I’d have to say Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors! I love her personality and the songs she gets to belt out!
Favorite thing about your character in Once?
A few years ago, my mom played me the song “Falling Slowly,” and I fell in love with it. Any time it comes on, we pick who is going to sing melody and harmony and sing our guts out. The fact that I get to play the daughter of the girl that sings that song is amazing.
How will you use your tools from TRAIN for Once?
I’m excited to take all of the advice that the teachers have given me and apply it to the show. For example, I’ve learned through our work on monologues that I should vary my volume when saying lines to show different emotions. I also love our warm-up games. They help me focus my brain on being in the moment.
Isabel
How did you get started acting?
My mom started taking me to musicals when I was three years old, and my eyes were glued to the stage. I would always sing musical numbers, dance around the house, and imitate different characters, so when I was six, she put me in a local theatre’s summer camp to see if I’d like it. I LOVED it! I’ve been in a musical production or theater class every season ever since. Once will be my 12th show.
Favorite thing about TRAIN?
There is a lot that I love about TRAIN, but I really like that the instructors in TRAIN give you feedback right away. They spend a lot of time critiquing your performance and let you do it again. Also, when my peers do their performances, I watch them and learn from their feedback, too.
Favorite role so far?
My favorite role was Molly in the Jewish Family Theatre’s Annie. I had a lot of lines and funny moments in the show that made the role so much fun. I also made new friendships with the other orphans. The director was Debra Clinton, and the music director was Stephen Rudlin, and they are both TRAIN instructors, so I got to continue working with them.
What is your dream role?
Wow! That’s a tough one! I would have to say Fiona in Shrek the Musical or Penny in Hairspray. I love to play funny characters!
Favorite thing about your character in Once?
My favorite thing about being Ivanka is that I get to listen to the ensemble play beautiful music. I just love listening to music. I play the piano myself. One of my favorite songs is “Falling Slowly” from Once and I’m learning how to play it.
How will you use your tools from TRAIN for Once?
If the director of Once asks me to do something differently I will know how to, since TRAIN teaches me how to apply corrections. Also, since Ivanka is shy, I’ll need to be expressive, which is something TRAIN emphasizes.
Once runs February 8 through March 3 at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s historic November Theatre. For tickets, visit www.va-rep.org. For more information about TRAIN, email Laine Satterfield at lsatterfield7@gmail.com.