The curtains are pulled back, the lights are lighting up the stage. A group is rehearsing lines for the upcoming musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. One of them is Woodhaven High School freshman Cameron Abel.
Abel was chosen to play Mike Teavee in the Downriver Actors’ Guild’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Downriver Actors’ Guild is a community of people who appreciate performing arts. They have done several productions in the last few years. These productions include people of all ages, many actors who perform are young such as in middle school or high school, some even elementary. They are located in Wyandotte.
Abel has been a part of The Downrivers Actors’ Guild since he was only seven years old. He has experienced and been a part of many theater productions. While he has performed as several characters, his favorites are Lord Farquad from Shrek and Kevin G in Mean Girls. These productions also took place at The Downriver Actors’ Guild. Abel, after being asked what he loves about plays and musicals, said, “The people I meet and the experience I will gain. Also, the memories too.”.
Abel was very excited when he was cast as Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and immediately started to rehearse. Cameron says that rehearsing is the hardest part of doing theater. He explains, “memorizing is the hardest part. You really have to tell yourself that you got to practice at home.” He must practice a lot, because he must memorize all his lines throughout the play. This can be very difficult.
Once he is out of high school, Abel hopes to go to AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy). It is a theater school located in New York. Many famous people have graduated from this school including Jason Derulo. His wish is to perform in theater on Broadway in New York. He plans to make a career out of acting and wants to be the best of the best.
Abel is not the only student part of Woodhaven Schools who is part of the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There is also Woodhaven Upper Elementary student Norah Aue, and WHS students Abigail Hughes and Addison Walter. Additionally, the choir director at Woodhaven High School, Ms. Rize is the vocal director for the show.
Cameron wishes to tell everyone: “Give theater a chance. You can make new friends and meet people you will be friends with for a lifetime.”
The show runs Dec. 6-8 and 13-15. You can buy tickets here: Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
