Nine-Year Old Boy Stars in 'Mame' at Herricks Community Center

The following article was posted by Geoffrey Walter. It was written by Adina Genn.

Port Washington resident Ian Miller is starring as 10-year-old Patrich Dennis in the Herricks production of “Mame” at the Herricks Community Center in New Hyde Park. 

Patch caught up with Miller, age 9, who is a fourth-grade student in Mr. Lennon's class at Manorhaven Elementary School, to learn his thoughts about taking to the stage.
Patch: Tell us about your role in Mame.

Ian Miller: I play the role of Mame’s nephew, Patrick Dennis. Patrick comes to live with Mame after his parents die and the show is about their life together.

Patch: Have you ever had a lead role before? If so, what? 

IM: I have never been in a show before except for in school. I sing in a band, though. I also sing in the school chorus and I play piano and baritone horn. 

Patch: Were you nervous to audition – how did you get through it? 

IM: I was a little nervous but I tried to stay calm. I got through it because I was confident in myself and I practiced a lot. 

Patch: How are you managing the show and school?   

IM: I do my homework at rehearsals when I am not on stage. My teacher Mr. Lennon was very understanding and let me count learning my lines as my reading assignments for some of the rehearsals. These last two weeks were hard because I was tired from all the state testing. But it’s worth it. 

Patch: Will you be doing any theater after Mame? If so what? 

IM: I don’t know what I’m going to do and when, but I just want to do more acting in general. I am still going to sing in a band and do anything else with singing because I really love it.

Mame opens Saturday at the Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Road in New Hyde Park. Showtimes: 8 p.m. on Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Other showtimes include May 10, 11, 17, 18; 3 p.m. May 19. For more information, visit herrickscommunityplayers.org.
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