Interviews with 7 young actors
     back to The Children's Hour

The cast for The Children’s Hour includes 14 actors, seven of whom are ages 10 - 15 and portray students at the boarding school where the play takes place. TimeLine’s Artistic Director PJ Powers asked how they landed their roles and got involved in the theater. Here are the edited interviews.

Mia Akers
Rayna Ben-Zeev
Olivia Cygan
Zanny Laird
Laura Noigebauer
Grace Parker
Natalie Watts

Mia Akers, 13, plays Peggy

Tell me about your audition experience for The Children’s Hour.

My audition experience for The Children’s Hour was one of the best I’ve ever had. When I first auditioned, I was able to meet the director as well as you and have a really fun time in the scenes.

I was really interested in the play because for once it wasn’t a musical and the material was so raw yet relatable.

I had the opportunity to audition with new people as well as old friends. There were so many girls that were auditioning, and I thought, if I made it that would be incredible. That night, I received a phone call stating that I’d gotten a callback. When I came back, I felt so honored to audition again and enjoyed doing the scene with the girls I was with.

The director gave us really good insight on what was going on in the scene, and I was able to go from there. It gave me a chance to learn how to be a better actor and really grow more in a serious scene. I was impressed by the choices that the other girls made at the audition and the callback. Nick's comments and direction motivated me to express myself and to dive into the character. I learned a lot from the experience.

How did you respond when you found out you had been cast in the show?

I’ve got to tell you, it was one of the best birthday gifts I ever had! I turned 13 the day after the callbacks.

You called my mom and left a voicemail, and I remember I had been out with my dad and didn’t find out until about 10:30 that night. I was shocked, and I was screaming, and my mom was a little mad because she had been sleeping.

I had heard so many great things about TimeLine Theatre. And all the girls who tried out with me [were cast and that] made it more exciting for me.

How did you get interested in acting?

I have been really passionate about theater for most of my life and was always singing or acting around the house. I would watch tapes of some of my kiddie movies and TV shows, and my parents were amazed that I had memorized all the lines of certain movies and episodes.

When I was 6, my parents signed me up for theater camp at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago, and I was one of the youngest ones getting big parts. From there I got an agent and did some modeling and commercials and began going out on theater auditions, and the rest is history.

I really just had a passion for acting and would love to do theater camps as opposed to sports or dance camps.

What are some of your favorite theater experiences, as an audience member and as an actor?

Some of my favorite theater experiences as an audience member would probably be going to a Christmas show at the American Girl Place theater when I was 7. I loved the show and a couple of years later began working there with some of the girls I’d seen in the show. I also loved Lion King and Wicked.

As an actual actress, I’d probably have to say auditioning for The Color Purple was another incredible auditioning experience. A Christmas Carol at the Goodman was nice because I was 10 and got to meet and experience new things away from my neighborhood.

But the American Girl Place theater has been my home away from home for the past four and a half years, and my experience and friendships there have been priceless and the most rewarding.

I’m looking forward to my experience here at The Children’s Hour because I’m older and it’s more dramatic.

Rayna Ben-Zeev , 13, plays Helen

Tell me about your audition experience for The Children’s Hour.

It was really fun. It was different than my other audition experiences because we were asked to be as free as we wanted to be.

It meant that if we thought the character would walk on tables or push over chairs — and I did —we could do that.

How did you respond when you found out you had been cast in the show?

I jumped up and down with joy.

I was at sleepover camp when I found out. I wrote home every day asking my parents if they had heard anything yet. The day I found out, it made me feel proud of myself and confident.

Everyone at camp was happy for me. People I didn't even know would come up to me and congratulate me for getting into The Children's Hour.

How did you get interested in acting?

I ice-skated for many years, but what I looked forward to all year was performing in the ice show. I wouldn't get as nervous as the other girls, and, after each show, I would ask to perform some more. I would have a happy feeling inside during the performances.

This made me want to audition for a play. I auditioned for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and got the part of Lucy. I have loved acting ever since.

What are some of your favorite theater experiences, as an audience member and as an actor?

I enjoyed being in the production of David And Lisa at the Young Actors Ensemble.

I played the role of Lisa. It was challenging for me because Lisa was a character who had Dissociative Identity Disorder, which meant that she would switch from one personality to another. In one of her personalities she acted like a child, even though she was 15, and only talked in rhyme. With the other personality she wouldn't talk at all but would only write down her feelings. It gave me the opportunity to act like a person with a disability that couldn't be prevented. It allowed me to experience something that I would not have experienced otherwise.

When I played the role of [a] stepsister in Cinderella, it was fun to be a character actress, but with the part of Lisa I got to experience a more serious problem.

I took a trip to New York and saw four Broadway plays. They were Bridge and Tunnel, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera and Hairspray. They were all very different from one another, and the acting was fantastic.

Bridge and Tunnel was where one actress played 15 different ethnic personalities. She played old people, young people and people with different accents. Each time she switched characters, she only changed one piece of clothing. This impressed me because the actress really became each character she played. Her posture changed, her tone of voice changed, and the way she presented herself changed. This really taught me a lot as an actress on how to portray different characters.

Olivia Cygan, 12, plays Catherine

Tell me about your audition experience for The Children’s Hour.

I think I’m correct in assuming that, for most young actors, the audition process is one that is both thrilling and nerve-racking.

I entered TimeLine with as positive an attitude as can be sustained, knowing that what I was preparing to do was potentially life-altering. Immediately upon seeing the theater, however, I fell in love. Even through my jitters, I could tell this was someplace special, and that calmed me down slightly. I went in for the actual reading and got positive vibes, which definitely boosted my confidence.

When I got home, there was already a message on our machine, asking if I could come in for a callback. I screamed, went in for a second audition, and the rest is history.

How did you respond when you found out you had been cast in the show?

As is to be expected, I was thrilled to be provided with such an excellent opportunity.

The truth is, however, that my initial reaction was slightly tainted, primarily because I didn’t “know” the character I would be playing, the way I understand her now. Once I really had time to think about the true meaning of what had happened, I couldn’t wait to get started.

How did you get interested in acting?

When I was in elementary school, I had an amazing fine-arts teacher, and that may have begun to trigger my love for acting and singing.

Over the summer going into 4th  grade I took a “Summer on Broadway” day camp at the Music Institute of Chicago, and I think that’s when I recognized, personally, that I belong in the theater.

What are some of your favorite theater experiences, as an audience member and as an actor?

I love the stage, and any exposure to that, regardless of whether I’m in the audience or performing, I relish.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with the Piven Theatre, and I’ve acted opposite, and have been directed by, Joyce Piven. I feel incredibly lucky to have had that opportunity.

In terms of actually watching a performance, the first professional musical I saw was Hairspray, and that was nothing short of thrilling.

Zanny Laird, 14, plays Mary

Tell me about your audition experience for The Children’s Hour.

I came to the audition because Kevin Bellie from Circle Theatre recommended me to TimeLine. The audition experience was one of the best ones I have ever had. I loved how Nick challenged me to think about how my character was feeling. At the callbacks we went further by using chairs and props to throw around in the scene. We experimented with the characters more and how they interacted with the other characters.

How did you respond when you found out you had been cast in the show?

You called me on the morning of my birthday to offer me the part of Mary. I was so shocked and exhilarated to get the call.

It was the best birthday present I could have received.

How did you get interested in acting?

I went to my first audition at age 9 and landed a role in The American Girl’s Circle of Friends. I always loved singing and dancing, and this show was the perfect introduction for me to professional theater.

I quickly found myself doing other plays while at American Girl and later performed roles in feature films and a radio drama.

My passion for acting continues to grow stronger with each role, and I feel I learn so much from the other actors that I perform with.

What are some of your favorite theater experiences, as an audience member and as an actor?

One of my favorite theater experiences was performing the part of Electra’s Past in Bohemian Theatre’s production of the Greek tragedy, Sophocles’ Electra.

I portrayed the soul of Electra as a young girl as she wrestled with tragedy and betrayal within her family. I was on stage for the entire show and needed to stay in character and respond to all of the actors’ actions and emotions, especially those of the heroine, Electra.

As the only young adult in the show, I learned so much from all the older actors, and I came out of it with a great appreciation for Greek tragedy.

Laura Noigebauer, 15, plays Rosalie

Tell me about your audition experience for The Children’s Hour.

It was an interesting and enlightening experience. I enjoyed it greatly. The director gave me great feedback.

How did you respond when you found out you had been cast in the show?

I was really excited. This will be my first professional show.

How did you get interested in acting?

I’ve always loved being on stage, from when I was a young girl until now. Theater is my life.

What are some of your favorite theater experiences, as an audience member and as an actor?

My favorite theater experience was in New York City, where I learned all of the dances for the Lionesses in Lion King from an actress in the show.

My grandma has been taking me to the theater since I was 3.

Grace Parker, 10, plays Lois

Tell me about your audition experience for The Children’s Hour.

OK. Well, I went into the audition feeling like I was the youngest one there. You’re standing there between two kids who are taller than you or five years older.

I thought I would get called back, but after the callback I wasn’t sure I would get cast.

I guess I was just nervous. I was either nervous, or I just decided that I was too young.

How did you respond when you found out you had been cast in the show?

I was actually in California on vacation with relatives when I received the news. So not having my mom and dad around felt a little different.

I was just really happy and started saying “YES! GREAT!”

How did you get interested in acting?

I have the feeling that people just think I’m trying to copy my dad, because he’s an actor, same as my mom. But, it wasn’t copying so much as I was shown acting, and I liked it right away and knew that was what I wanted to do.

I guess I like acting because it’s very open. When you’re acting, there’s almost no such thing as doing too much. You can express yourself.

I also love the whole environment of being around theater people.

What are some of your favorite theater experiences, as an audience member and as an actor?

As an audience member, my favorite memory is when I was 4 and I saw my first Broadway show, and it was Beauty and the Beast. And on way my back from the theater, I said “Mama, I want to be an actress!” That would probably be my favorite experience.

As an actress, it would probably be getting cast in A Christmas Carol at the Goodman. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling I felt.

Natalie Watts, 10, plays Evelyn

Tell me about your audition experience for The Children’s Hour.

Everyone was very nice to me. You and Mr. Bowling laughed a lot and seemed to like my characterization of Evelyn.

How did you respond when you found out you had been cast in the show?

My mom got the call while I was auditioning for a part in a movie. She gave me the news as soon as I came out.

I was very excited and couldn’t wait until she called you back. I was afraid that if she didn’t call back right away you would give the part to someone else.

How did you get interested in acting?

I have been playing pretend and acting out stories since I can remember.

When my mom would try teaching me some type of sport, I would just sit down and tell her I would wait until she was all done playing so we could do a story. I was always the lead girl’s role, and my mom had to be everyone else!

My parents took me to Disney World for my second birthday. Beauty and the Beast was the first time I saw a live stage production at MGM studios. I made my mom sit through it four straight shows. I only agreed to leave the pavilion when my mom said she’d buy me a Belle costume dress.

I was wearing my costume dress when we walked out of the souvenir shop, [and I was] singing and twirling my dress to the songs I had just learned. Two ladies sitting on a bench commented, out loud, about what I was doing. I whipped around and told them that I was going to be on stage someday. I just knew that very day that I had to be on stage.  

What are some of your favorite theater experiences, as an audience member and as an actor?

My parents love theater, too, so I am able to go to a lot of shows.

But my favorite audience experience was just recently. I had already seen Wicked twice. But I won two free tickets for a weeknight performance, and I wanted to take my friend Louisa, who has been dying to see it. We didn’t think her parents would let her go on a school night and with no chaperone inside the theater. But they did! My mom escorted us in and then went to Argo Tea Café next door. We felt so grown up!

As an actress, my first production has a very special place in my heart. I was 8 when I did The Christmas Schooner at the Bailiwick. David Zak directed it that year and couldn’t have been kinder and more patient.

And my first opening night was so magical. It was a full house and the first time I ever performed with press in an audience. I was so excited when the audience applauded when my character left the stage [and it wasn’t even] the end of the scene.