Toxcina King
Leading the cast of characters for “James and the Giant Peach,” a play directed by Theatre Arts Professor RoZsa Horvath, is 11-year-old Ben Rogers, a sixth-grader who will play James.
He is currently enrolled in the Children’s Theatre Production at Pierce College and attends class at Redwood Middle School in Thousand Oaks.
“My father, Steven, has been doing plays at Pierce for a long time and that’s how I got into acting. At the end of one of my dad’s shows, he pulled me up on stage and from then I knew that I wanted to be an actor at Pierce,” said Rogers.
The play is an the adaptation of Raold Dahl’s famous children’s novel “James and the Giant Peach.”
Before being adapted to the screen, “James and the Giant Peach” captured the imagination of several generations of readers since it was first published in 1961.
It’s the story of an orphaned boy and his dream of going to New York City. With the help of some magic crocodile tongues, the lonely boy’s dream turns into a fantastic adventure when he crawls inside a giant peach.
“It’s a big responsibility,” said Rogers of acting the lead role.
“It’s nice to be in a situation where you are well-received by other students and adults. I am really enjoying the experience and I meet a lot of cool people. I’m very excited about the role of James and I thank my wonderful father for getting me into acting.
“Additionally, I thank my teacher RoZsa for all her support and guidance.”
Steven Rogers, Ben’s father, has been acting at Pierce for 23 years and was also inspired to act by a great director when he was very young.
He said, “You do not have to be a Broadway star to enjoy the craft.”
“Working in a community theater is truly remarkable when the actors are not receiving compensation for what they are doing.
“The theater department at Pierce is really wonderful and I honestly believe they are there for the kids,” said Steven Rogers.
“It’s definitely a magical experience,” he said.
When Ben Rogers is not acting, in his spare time, he likes to play baseball and his guitar.
He says when he grows up he would like to become a musician.
“Young people enrolled in the Pierce performing arts program receive college credit for their participation,” said Horvath.
“So far, we’ve sold 400 tickets to student matinees. It’s a charming and delightful play. Like an old-fashioned fairytale about a magic peach, oversized insects, cruel aunts and a child’s wishful friends which is a classic of children’s literature,” The play opens March 31 and runs the first two weekends through April 9.
Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $12 for general admission and can be purchased at the door of PAB.
This event is open to the community and early arrival is suggested.