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Teens learn lessons of 'Fame'
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Published: January 13, 2010
It was never just a lyric, but an anticipative plea to the future. Thousands of teenage girls in 1980, stood in front of the mirror holding a hairbrush to their lips, singing from the top of their lungs, "Fame. I'm going to live forever. I'm gonna learn how to fly. High."
So when 16-year-old Shaquila Massey, a member of Acting Up! Children's Theatre group in Concord, belts out the famous anthem from the edge of the stage Thursday night, she may not fully understand the impact of her nostalgic words on the parents in the audience — some whose flying may have landed them somewhere other than where they hoped.
Massey, as well as her co-stars, weren't born when the 1980s hit "Fame" was released, and their parents were probably just a bit younger than the kids are now, but the simple message from the story is still valid today.
The play, like the movie, shows the audience the importance of determination, hard work, sacrifice and following dreams.
That message is not lost on the young cast, many of whom hope for a career in the arts, just as the characters they portray.
"There is so much power and pizzazz in it, and it inspires you to perfect your craft," 16-year-old Jaida Benjamin said.
Besides Massey, who is a sophomore from Hickory Ridge High School, the other leading roles are played by Kyle Conroy, 16, a sophomore at Jay M. Robinson; Maddie Medlin, 16, a home-schooled junior; Will Irvin, 16, a sophomore at Concord High School; Bradford Gladden, 16, a sophomore at Hickory Ridge; and Benjamin, who is home-schooled and already a seasoned pro after performing in the national company "Annie."
Benjamin, from Harrisburg, can be seen in many national commercials.
"I've been acting since I was seven or eight. It's hard to get jobs here, so we travel a lot, like to Atlanta and New York," Benjamin said.
Acting, for teens, seems like the perfect proposition, according to the young actors.
"You get away from the world. You don't have to be yourself or worry about your life at the time or the stresses of the world," Gladden said.
"You get to become another person, and step out of being yourself for a few hours," Medlin said. "It's an escape."
The group has learned many lessons from the characters they bring to life.
"It's hard to balance everything. When you do something, you have to be there. People are counting on you," Massey said.
"I have learned the extent that people will go to succeed or be famous. That becomes very evident in the play," Conroy said.
Massey said she has learned a lot about the person she wants to become through the character she plays.
"My character has given me much more confidence," Massey said. "Coco has a lot of confidence in herself, and I don't think I have that much. It also showed me that you should always strive for what you want to do."
Want to go?
What: Acting Up! Children's Theatre presents "Fame"
When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Where: The Glenn Center, 120 Marsh Ave. N.W., Concord
Details: Tickets are $5
About Acting Up!
Acting Up! Children's Theatre was founded by Kelly Slusarick and her husband, Scott, four years ago. The company worked out of the Old Courthouse Theatre for the initial three years but now calls the Glenn Center home.
Kelly donates her time to teaching public speaking classes at the Glenn Center in exchange for use of the space.
The group offers acting and improv classes for kids who are in preschool up through high school.
"We have about 55 students now, but every semester we just get bigger and bigger," Kelly said. "It's fabulous."
Her musical theatre class will be presenting "Godspell" in the spring. Open auditions will be held Jan. 27 and 28 at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to audition.
For more information, visit the Acting Up! Web site at www.actingupdrama.com or call 704-699-8642.
• Contact reporter Robin L. Gardner: 704-789-9140
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