Community Corner

Walnut Creek Fifth Grader Hits The Big Stage In "A Christmas Carol"

Campbell Zeigler has playing "Boy Scrooge" this month at the Geary Theater

What did you do this holiday season?

Most 10-year-olds finished their December studies at school and then eagerly awaited for Christmas to come.

Campbell Zeigler has spent a lot of his December acting on a stage in San Francisco.

The Parkmead Elementary School fifth-grader was cast as "Boy Scrooge" in the American Conservatory Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol."

The play at the 1,500-seat Geary Theater began on Dec. 6 and runs until this Saturday, Dec. 28.

The role has meant performances for Campbell at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as well as afternoon performances on Saturday and Sundays.

That's in addition to the rehearsals before the adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel hit the stage.

"This has been much more professional than anything else I've done," said Campbell. "It's been a great experience."

Katie Zeigler said she and her husband were a bit leery of the time commitment the play required for their son, but they went ahead with it because of Campbell's deep interest in drama.

In the end, their son has been able to experience a high-level professional production as well as being mentored by some of the adult actors.

"They've been great," said Zeigler. "They could just go their dressing rooms and shut the door."

A parent must accompany each child actor to every show. Zeigler and her husband split the duties while the other stayed home with Campbell's 8-year-old brother.

When seats are available, the parents can sit in the theater and watch the show. Zeigler has seen it from those seats 11 times now.

"It's just been magnificent," she said.

Campbell auditioned for "Boy Scrooge" and other parts with dozens of other child actors in September.

He and about 40 others got call backs. Of those, 29 children were cast in the play.

Campbell has about a dozen lines.

Drama is something he's always been interested in.

He attended summer camp at the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda for three years.

He also has taken classes at the American Conservatory Theater during the past few winters.

Campbell first performed at the Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette. He then was on stage at the Masquers Playhouse in Pt. Richmond.

Campbell said he is never nervous before going on stage and enjoys the limelight while he's out there.

"It just comes naturally to me," he said. "It's easy for me to be on stage."

Campbell plans to pursue his interest in drama at both Walnut Creek Intermediate and Las Lomas High School.

From there, who knows? You just might see him on Broadway some day.


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