MHS 2nd Grader Stars in GLT's Production of 'A Christmas Carol'

Posted Date: 11/30/2023

The story of “A Christmas Carol” is part of a tradition for many...for Moreland Hills Elementary School second grader Kyra Rodenborn, the show takes on a more personal significance:  she is featured as “Tiny Tim” in the current Great Lakes Theater production!

“I’m proud to be acting in ‘A Christmas Carol’. It’s part of a lot of people’s Christmas memories, and they trusted me to carry on this tradition,” Kyra said. “It’s also very fun. The other cast members are really nice, and they are very good actors, so I like to watch them create their characters.”

Kyra is the youngest in the cast, and she is double-cast in the dual roles of Master William and Tiny Tim because of the time commitment and dozens of performances through the holiday season. This production marks her stage debut.

“It’s definitely an Orange Schools story because the excellent music instruction she gets at MHS is what prepared her,” noted Kyra’s mother Martha Rodenborn. “She auditioned by singing a cappella 16 bars of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ (from ‘The Sound of Music’) which she learned in music class. Mr. Parrotta must have taught her well, because she got the part!”

Kyra, who recently participated in MHS Second Grade Pioneer Day as part of Mrs. Angela Lovell’s class, has been featured in short films including “Anyone: a zombie music video” produced by the students at the Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls and “Survival”, directed by Mitchell Fields.

“This is my first time doing a play, and I have learned that it takes a lot of hard work!” effused Kyra. “It’s scary to perform in front of 1,000 people, but the other cast members and all our practice really helped me know that I could do this!”

According to her biography, aside from acting, Kyra also enjoys gymnastics, reading and writing stories, creating art, and hanging out with her friends. She dedicates her performance to her big sister, who she says inspires her. And Kyra has the opportunity to recite one of the most classic Dickens’ lines when Tiny Tim says with elation, “God bless us, everyone!”

“People should come see ‘A Christmas Carol’,” said Kyra, “because it’s a really good show.”

Break a leg, Kyra! We are proud you are Orange!

To see Kyra in ‘A Christmas Carol’ you may buy tickets at the link below. She plays the role of Master William/Tiny Tim in the following performances: December 1, 2, 7, 15, 16, 20, and 22 at 7:30 p.m., December 9 at 1:30 p.m., and December 10 and 23 at 3 p.m. All performances are on stage at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. Greatlakestheater.org

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