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- Miguel Romero-Baker (left) has three parts in 'High School Musical.' He's shown with Ryan Schaffer, who stars as Troy. Visit the Photo Place

Caroline middle-schooler acting in 'High School Musical' production

A Caroline eighth-grader has a role in a play production of "High School Musical" in Woodbridge

BY PORTSIA SMITH

Date published: 7/5/2009

BY PORTSIA SMITH

Miguel Romero-Baker may be a rising eighth-grader at Caroline Middle School, but that didn't stop him from getting an acting gig in a production of "High School Musical."

The 13-year-old is playing three roles in the play at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre in Woodbridge.

This is the last week of the show's run.

Beginning in January, Miguel was juggling rehearsals, shows and schoolwork.

"I wanted to be an actor really bad, so I made it work," he said about his busy schedule.

He also found time to play saxophone in band, perform in show choir and make good enough grades to be in the National Junior Honor Society.

The play is based on the hit Disney movie starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, and is about two students whose decision to audition for their high school musical turns their world and their school upside down.

Miguel has three parts--a skater named Mongo, a dramatic-arts kid named James and a basketball jock named Jason.

He said the parts are small, but he makes $15 a night. And since the play has been showing six nights a week since March, that's pretty good for an eighth-grader, he said.

His mother, Gloria, said Miguel has been a class act since he was a little guy.

"He would imitate stars from TV like Michael Jackson and New Kids on the Block," she said. "He would have me come up with outfits he could wear."

Miguel credits a former teacher with giving him the acting bug.

When he was a student at Ladysmith Baptist Academy, his drama teacher, Bruce Levy, gave him roles in two plays, "Oliver and Annie" and "Godspell."

"He did very well in both," Levy said. "He has a lot of natural talent and is easy to work with."

That's why he suggested Miguel audition for the role in Woodbridge.

Miguel was ecstatic when he got the part, especially since "High School Musical" star Corbin Bleu is someone he looks up to.

The show closes Sunday, July 12, but Miguel's acting plan doesn't end there.

He plans on going to California this summer to audition for roles, he said.

Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com

For ticket information, call 703/550-7384 or go to lazysusan.com.

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Date published: 7/5/2009