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Acting for laughs Student steps in spotlight taking his talents to stage
During the varsity theater production of Alice in Wonderland, senior Kole Franklin performs as Mad Hatter the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat” on Nov. 4. Franklin has been in many school productions including All Shook Up, Treasure Island, and The Wiz. His next role will be Tevia in Fiddler on the Roof opening early in Jan. 2010.
that whole fear of bombing because every comic does. But once he got over it—once he actually bombed—I think he improved.” He was on his own. Tonight’s performance featured no While Kole said that coming up with jokes on the spot supporting roles or behind-the-scenes production crew. This is entertaining stand-up comedy requires much preparation. particular show, unlike others he had participated in, could He said the writing process isn’t considered writing at all be performed without the aid of glittery makeup, costumes because in most cases, for a comedian, a recorder is more or sound effects. There would be no fictional character to useful than a pen and piece of paper. He bases his material hide beneath. He was on events that happen in his utterly alone, except for everyday life. the curious faces of the “You can’t just sit down “I was like, ‘If I can go through something crowd in front of him. and start writing jokes,” One observer, his Kole said, “That’s not the for this long, and still like what I’m doing, teacher, contributed to way it works. Whenever you then I should try getting into a position the unseasoned comic’s think of something funny, where I can get paid for it.’” nervous state. Tonight, or see something that’s ri-KOLE FRANKLIN, 12 both senior Kole Frankdiculous and know whether lin and theater teacher people can relate to it, then Deborah Garoui would you have to…record it imtake the stage. mediately because you’re going to forget it if you don’t.” During the summer, Kole performs at the Backdoor ComKole’s versatility as a performer is also evident through edy Club located in the Double Tree Hotel in Dallas. There, his involvement in the school’s theater department. There, he’s given a total of three minutes to charm the audience. he exercises his true passion for the art of theater. “I had a hard time finding one that would let me perform He began his theater career as a freshman, after realizing under 18 years old, but the Backdoor Comedy Club would, he was no longer passionate about playing football. Kole said so that’s where I got started,” Kole said. he discovered his love for acting after his first experience in In fact, it’s because of Garoui’s presence that Kole decid- a school production. ed to perform at his first open-mic night. A twenty-year vet “It was during (The Wiz) rehearsals and I’d be stuck here eran of stand-up comedy, Garoui said she knows first-hand at school for 12 hours at a time, and I just didn’t mind bethe obstacles a comic must overcome. cause I loved it,” Kole said. “I was like, ‘If I can go through “He’s a smart comic,” Garoui said. “He had to get over something for this long, and still like what I’m doing, then
STORY BY KELSEY MCCAULEY PHOTO BY NATALIA CHEKHA
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I should try getting into a position where I can get paid for it.’” Kole said theater requires extreme commitment and provides almost no room for social activity beyond the auditorium due to the long hours he spends at school rehearsing and performing. “I don’t really have very many friends outside of theater,” Kole said. “Even my boss at work, I drive him crazy because he likes me as an employee but he can never schedule me… I’m always at school.” Late nights spent at school aren’t the only factors contributing to Kole’s stress. The audition process can also be a pretty grueling experience. “I guess the hardest part about audition processes is if you don’t get cast as the part that you want,” Kole said. “It’s not like they’re insulting your abilities, it’s just that they don’t think that you’re right for that part,” Kole said. “So you have to train yourself to think that instead of ‘Oh, I’m terrible. I’m leaving.’” While both theater and stand-up comedy require an on stage setting and an audience, Kole said the atmosphere for a stand-up comedy show is dramatically different from that of a theater production. “It’s not the same at all because you’re putting yourself up there for people to judge and not the character you’ve assumed,” Kole said. “So before I go on stage for stand-up, I’m a shaky, nervous wreck.” Despite the many setbacks actors are forced to come to terms with, Kole said the source of his passion for acting is a simple one. “At the very root of it, it’s just fun to pretend.” {the marquee} NOVEMBER 20, 2009