At 11, Vivienne Atwood already has an impressive resumé as a stage actor.
The St. Davids resident and St. Davids Public School student received recognition from the Town of NOTL last Tuesday for her Shaw Festival debut in Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” this past holiday season. She played Susan Waverly, the granddaughter of the show’s main character, Gen. Waverly.
“She kind of symbolizes me,” she said. “Happy, joyful, exciting … I felt like I played her the way I’d play myself as a character.”
Atwood alternated the role with Celine Jung of Oakville, with each performing about half the shows. Atwood appeared in 26 performances from Nov. 7 to Dec. 21 at the Festival Theatre, following a month of rehearsals in October.
She began acting at age seven, when she joined Linus Hand Productions, a theatre company for performers aged five to 17. She has been with the company for four years.
Her first role was as an ensemble member in “The Descendants,” a show she later revisited as the character Jane. She initially performed in ensemble roles, then moved on to larger parts, including Michael in “Elf,” Flounder in “The Little Mermaid” and a chief ancestor in “Moana.”
Atwood said that progression motivated her to continue acting.
“I wanted to do it for more, I wanted to get better roles,” she said. “You start in ensemble and the more you do it you get better and better and better roles, if you keep trying. So, that’s kind of like a factor that makes me want to keep doing it.”
Her connection to the Shaw Festival came through her vocal coach, who told her about auditions for White Christmas. A friend of Atwood’s, Payton Mills, had played Susan Waverly in the production three years earlier.
Atwood and her mother, Judith, credited vocal teacher Tenja Hagenberg with helping connect Vivienne to the wider theatre world, as her family is not connected in that world. They also credited Hagenberg with being a positive mentor since Atwood began working with her at age nine.
“She’s an amazing woman who’s a very gifted teacher,” Judith said.
At the audition, Atwood sang “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” and read lines. “Maybe” 15 children auditioned, she said. A few days later, her vocal coach told them she had been cast.
“I was very, very happy and excited,” said Vivienne, who also noted the contrast with children’s theatre.
“It was such a big difference from my children’s theatre … It’s professional, it’s all adults, so it’s a whole other level.”
Vivienne and Judith said the Shaw Festival was “super duper nice and encouraging” toward child actors, including paying Atwood as a professional performer. Vivienne said she appreciated having Jung in the cast, as it gave her another child to talk to while working primarily with adults.
Atwood has returned to Linus Hand Productions this year to perform in the musical “Camp Rock.” She is also active in sports and the arts, including travel soccer, piano and dance, and participates in school activities such as robotics, student council, basketball and chess.
Her mother praised her confidence and leadership skills and said she was more proud of her as a person than as an actor.
Vivienne said her nerves faded as the run went on. By the final performance, she had formed close bonds with cast and crew. She said the work was intense and she welcomed a break, but she hopes to stay in touch with the Shaw Festival team.
“I was happy that it was done, but I didn’t want it to end,” she said.
