Young Star Says Goodbye to Acting During Oceanside Run of ‘Footloose’

Cooper Peltz has Hollywood good looks and an acting resume to match, but the 18-year-old is saying goodbye to his celebrity during final performances of ‘Footloose’ this weekend in Oceanside.

Peltz, who is currently playing lead character Ren MacCormack in Christian Youth Theater’s production of “Footloose” at the Star Theatre, is turning down future scripts to instead pursue college: The strikingly handsome teen wants to be a history teacher.

“Leaving all these memories and friends – it’s sad. But seeing the younger kids coming up is exciting,” he said during a rehearsal break at the Star Wednesday afternoon.

Cooper has been credited in several films, television show, plays and commercials, including hooking the lead in the 2011 family film “Christmas with a Capital C.”

Winter Bassett, 18, stars alongside Peltz in this weekend’s performance. She plays Ren’s love interest, Ariel Moore.

Don’t expect Bassett to retire from acting. Although she has to leave Christian Youth Theater due to age (CYT only accepts teens through age 18), she plans to continue singing, dancing and acting.

“I love it,” she said.

Catch both young actors on stage this weekend at the Star, located at 402 N. Coast Highway. Curtain times for “Footloose” are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday (the show's closing performance).

For more information, visit cytsandiego.com or startheatre.biz.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Winter Bassett's last name. It has since been corrected.