Eleven-year-old Lexi Evans caught the theatre bug just recently, but already she’s taking on a major role with a degree of commitment far beyond her years.
The grade six student at Huntsville Public School took the Theatre is My Passion program at Huntsville Theatre Company by chance when her mom and grandma heard about it on the radio. She was almost immediately hooked and landed roles in The Three Little Pigs, For the Love of Broadway and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. So when she saw the audition notice for Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, she knew she had to give it a shot. Not only did she make it, she got the coveted role of Charlie Bucket.
“At first I was so nervous, I almost let fear get in my way but then I just snapped out of it and I said ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to pull through’,” she says. “I’m super excited. I was open to anything but I knew I’d be super happy if I got Charlie. I ended up crying because I was so happy.” Lexi’s grandma, Judy Evans, auditioned too and, much to Lexi’s surprise, also got a role in the show.
Her performance as Charlie Bucket will require Lexi to stretch her acting wings to accurately portray a male character. She’s been practicing hard at home and in rehearsals and even met her show dad, Dr. Rich Trenholm, at the hospital to run some lines. Choreographer Tia Pearse has been helping her perfect her boyish mannerisms, but Lexi decided to take getting into character a step further. “I could have gotten a wig but decided to cut my hair for kids who have suffered with medical losses,” she says. “I get my inspiration from Jennifer Lawrence and I saw her hair about that length, so I’m like, ‘I’m doing it’.”
On March 21, she headed to The Hudson Hair Salon to have twelve inches chopped off her long locks. It’s the first time she’s ever had more than just a trim. Hair stylist Kristal Gill did the honours – Lexi’s hair will be donated to Angel Hair – and Katherine McLaren followed up the experience with a makeup treatment.
“I’m really excited,” says Lexi of her new look. “It’s a big change.”
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- Lexi Evans closes her eyes for the first cut by The Hudson’s Kristal Gill
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- Katherine McLaren does Lexi’s make-up
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- Kristal Gill (left) and Katherine McLaren (right) join Lexi for the big reveal
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, a joint production of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and the Rotary Club of Huntsville, runs March 31, April 1, April 2 (matinee), April 7, April 8 and April 9 (matinee). Tickets are available at the Algonquin Theatre box office or online here.
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