Michael Di Leo, 13, of Lake Forest will play the part of Roy in “A Christmas Story: The Musical” at the Paramount Theater in Aurora. He balances his acting with attending Deer Path Middle School. He took time out recently to talk to the Pioneer Press about the challenges of being a young actor.
Q. When did you first get interested in musical theater?
A. It just all started in the second grade, when I auditioned for “The King and I,” the school musical. We were in the car and I said I really wanted to do this audition. We grabbed a song in the car and we did it. The audition was on the same day. We weren’t even ready. After one week, we got a call from the school.
Q. How did you prepare for other auditions?
A. After [The King and I], I stared getting into voice lessons. Then I got into dance. … That was all in Florida. Now I’ve lived in [Lake Forest] for a year. We moved for my dad’s job.
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Q. What are the challenges of being an actor?
A. Mostly time management. School, getting all my work done.
Q. When do rehearsals start?
A. About a month before. They cast you and they give you all this stuff to memorize so when you come in, they can just start working.
Q. You play a character named Roy in “A Christmas Story.” Could you tell me about the role?
A. He’s a classmate of Ralphie [lead role], a boy who wants to get a BB gun.
Q. You also performed in the musical “Billy Elliot” at Drury Lane Theater in Oak Brook Terrace since moving to Lake Forest?
A. That was my first regional show in Chicago. It was in the spring.
Q. How do you find out about auditions?
A. I actually have agents in Chicago and New York. They look for plays, pilots and commercials.
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