Closing Week of To Kill a Mockingbird – Don’t Miss this Hit

Performing to standing ovations from record breaking sell out audiences and reviewer accolades, the Providence Players run of To Kill a Mockingbird has just three more performances – Thursday April 6, Friday April 7, and Saturday April 8 all at 7:30 PM – at the James Lee Community Center Theater 2855 Annandale Road in Falls Church. As of Tuesday 4/4/17, tickets are still available for all three performances:

Click Here For Tickets

Caden Mitchell performs the role of Charles Baker Harris (“Dill”) in the Providence Players production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” Photo by Jessica Wallach, Portrait Playtime

Throughout the run of Mockingbird, Providence Players member Julie Janson has been chatting with a number of members of the cast and crew. In this interview with nine year old Caden Mitchell who performs the role of Dill, we not only discussed the show, but what it is like to do theater as a child. Caden’s mother, Laura, also provides some advice to parents who have children interested in doing theater.

Julie: Please tell our readers where they may have seen your work on local stages.

Caden: I have been in four plays at Creative Cauldron – my biggest part was playing the lead role of Puppet Pinocchio in Pinocchio. That’s when I was seven. This fall I was Michael Darling in Peter Pan, Jr. – The Musical at my school.

What made you want to do theater in the first place?

I love talking, and I love showing myself to other people — and that’s what acting is. My mom enrolled me Creative Cauldron’s theater programs for kids three years ago and I loved it right away.

Theater can take up a lot of time – how do you balance school and theater?

During school when I have free time I go over my lines, even at recess. I also work on homework during any down times at school so I don’t have to bring it home. When I’m doing a show, my mom keeps my schedule free of other stuff, because she knows what a big commitment doing a play is.

Caden Mitchell as Dill with Sophia Manicone as Scout in the Providence Players production of To Kill a Mockingbird Photo by Chip Gertzog, Providence Players — Caden Mitchell as Dill with Sophia Manicone as Scout – Photo by Chip Gertzog, Providence Players

You have a large role in this show – how do you learn all of your lines? What do you do to build your character?

In the beginning, I just went to my room and read and re-read the lines. Once I started getting the hang of them, I made up raps and songs for some of them to help me memorize them. And my mom and brother ran lines with me. Once rehearsals really started, I pretty much knew my lines by that time, but I still go over my script every day, and I work on any parts that I know need more work. At school I try to walk like Dill, and talk like Dill (in a southern accent). Basically whatever I am doing, I imagine what and how Dill would do it. I do those things every single day.

What is your favorite thing about doing theater? What are your plans for theater in the future?

I just love getting up there and showing people what I can do. I hope to keep doing as much acting as I can. When I grow up I’d like to be an actor and a director.

How do your parents help you when you are part of a show?

My parents both go over lines with me, and my mom, who also acts, sometimes gives me tips about putting more action in my voice or ideas for what I can do to make certain funny parts better. They also drive me everywhere, feed me and boss me to get plenty of sleep and all that so I can be ready to perform.

What advice would you give to other young people who want to try theater?

I would tell anyone that theater is a great experience for life. No matter what part you get – big or small – it’s a good part. Also, you don’t have to worry about being good enough. There isn’t a specific way to be good as an actor. If you find a natural way to show your character, it’s good. Everyone can do that with a little practice. Also, you should know that if you feel really nervous on opening night, it’s completely normal, everyone feels that way. Once you get past opening night, it feels like you just won a million dollars.

Sophia Manicone Caden Mitchell and Brendan Dure in the Providence Players production of To Kill a Mockingbird Photo by Chip Gertzog Providence Players — Sophia Manicone (Scout), Caden Mitchell (Dill) and Brendan Dure (Jem) in “To Kill a Mockingbird” – Photo by Chip Gertzog, Providence Players

How do you feel about this show? What do you think other young people can learn from it?

The lesson of the story is understanding that people’s differences are what make them better, not something to be afraid of. Seems like that’s something everyone needs to know right now, not just young people.

Laura, what advice would you give parents who have children in theater or who are considering theater? How do you balance show and other school/life responsibilities?

Laura: In our family we see theater the way lots of people see sports or academics. It’s not something to do because you’re naturally good at it or because you want to be an actor someday, you do it because it’s exceptionally good life experience. Theatrical arts help kids develop self-confidence, public speaking, discipline, creativity, self-expression, research, love of literature, team contribution, honestly I could go on and on. Caden’s a bit of an exception because it turns out he has some talent and does imagine himself continuing theater, but neither of those things are the goal, just happy coincidences. My other son, who’s in a non-speaking role in To Kill a Mockingbird (and understudying Jem), is an introvert who in no way imagines a career in theater, and yet he has come to love doing performances, and has been cast in some really great parts. So, my advice would be that every child benefits tremendously from theater. It is a big commitment though, so when the boys are in a show, we limit any other activities, so they can focus on that and still have time to sleep, play and manage school.

Caden Mitchell as Dill The Camel Washer in the Providence Players production of To Kill a Mockingbird Photo by Chip Gertzog Providence Players — **“Scout’s friend Dill, was played with a wise-beyond-his years feistiness by Caden Mitchell”** – William Powell, DcMetroTheaterArts Review

An American classic based on the Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork and one of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird is a gripping and heart-wrenching tale of coming-of-age in the South. Set in a town poisoned by prejudice, the play portrays a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, Scout, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

Click Here For Tickets

To Kill a Mockingbird plays through April 8, 2017 at the James Lee Community Center Theater – 2855 Annandale Road, in Falls Church VA 22031. Most performances have been sold out. For the best possible seat selection, order tickets online as soon as possible. There is never a fee for online ticket purchases from The Providence Players

You may also reserve tickets by e-mail providenceplayerstickets@cox.net, or call (703) 425-6782, and leave a message.

Remaining Performance Dates And Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.
April 6, 7, 8

Read More of Julie Janson’s Conversations with the To Kill a Mockingbird Cast and Crew:

Sophia Manicone is Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird", Photo by Chip Gertzog, Providence Players — Sophia Manicone is Scout in “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Photo by Chip Gertzog, Providence Players

DCMTA Interview with Sophia Manicone (Scout)

Mihara India as Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird Photo by Chip Gertzog Providence Players

DCMTA Interview with Mihara India (Calpurnia)

The Full DcMetroTheaterArts Review of the Providence Players Production of To Kill a Mockingbird by William Powell May be Found: Here