Publications & Sites 
Stars in their young eyes
Article Extras
Updated: December 24, 2012 1:59PM
Haley Noll and Phoebe Paslaski, both 12 and both of Libertyville, are starring in Aurora’s Paramount Theater production of Annie. The show has earned raves from theater critics and audiences. The budding actresses took time out from their busy schedules to answer questions about life on and off the stage.
Q: When did you first start acting?
Phoebe: I was 8. I was looking for a summer activity and did a production of Bye Bye Birdie. I fell in love with it right away.
Haley: I was 8, too. I saw a play my cousin was in, and I told my Mom I wanted to do that. My first show was Peter Pan at Improv Playhouse. I played Nana the dog.
Q: Do you think you’ll keep acting when you go to high school and then be professional actors one day?
Both: Yes, definitely!
Q: What’s your favorite part about performing in front of an audience?
Phoebe: I love performing for a crowd. People applaud, and it makes you feel good that they appreciate all your hard work. Acting is fun, because you get to be a new person each time, a new character.
Haley: I love the part after you’re done with a song you worked really hard on. People applaud so hard! And I love seeing the kids’ faces, sitting next to the adults. They always get the most excited.
Q: Do you ever get nervous when you audition for a part or before a performance?
Phoebe: Sometimes you get a little nervous, but you do your best. It’s so much fun though. You meet so many new people, it’s great.
Haley: Not really. I love it because at school you’re holding back, trying to be the cool kid. When you perform, you can let your personality shine and be free.
Q: What do your friends think about all this? Do they treat you any differently?
Phoebe: They are all very supportive. It’s actually hard sometimes; I don’t get to see them as much because I’m so busy.
Haley: My friends are supportive too. Four of them came to see the show and they said it was amazing and that I did a great job.
Q: Any words of advice to kids who want to get into acting?
Haley: I would tell them to just start with community theater and go from there. I was a terrible singer when I started, but then I took voice lessons and got better.~.
Annie runs through Dec. 30. For more information or to order tickets, visit paramountaurora.com.
