From Narnia to Painting A Fence, Rowan Shines in Theater

At 9 years old, the theater bug bit Rowan Moxley of Homewood. Being cast as Rooster in Annie, Moxley made the part his own.

Almost three years later, Rowan will be performing onstage with two different theater groups. On Friday he will paint the fence as he plays the lead in Tom Sawyer.

“Usually my favorite role is the one I’m in at the time,” said Rowan. “I do love being Tom Sawyer. In June, I was in Oak Lawn’s production of Les Miserables as Gavroche and that was a dream role,” Rowan adds. “I had a lot of fun playing Gavroche.”

Tracie Moxley, Rowan’s mom couldn’t be happier to fill the theater mom’s shoes. Besides Rowan, two daughters have been involved in theater as well

“They love performing and they have developed a supportive community of friends,” said Tracie. “My children get a lot out of it and shows have a very defined 6 to 8 week rehearsal schedule. It’s absolutely worth it when you watch the kids onstage having the time of their lives,” she added.

Charlie Misovye, Marian High School graduate and longtime President of the Drama Group in Chicago Heights has not only been a mentor for Rowan, has directed him in “The Tail of the Little Mermaid.

“Rowan is a natural on stage who is comfortable with dialects, acting and singing,” Misovye said. “I have had the pleasure of working with him at The Drama Group in Chicago Heights in the children’s theatre production of “The Tail of the Little Mermaid”, as well as the Mainstage production of Ragtime.”

In May, Rowan was cast in a professional production - Theater at the Center’s A Christmas Story. A few months ago Rowan signed with Gray Talent Group, an agency that is very involved with TV, commercial and theater in Chicago.

Charlie Misovye will be working again with Rowan in November.

“Rowan’s goal to be a professional actor is about to be realized,” Misovye said. “He will make his professional theatre debut in our holiday production of “A Christmas Story” running November 19–December 27, at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana - Northwest Indiana’s only professional theatre, where I am also the Group Sales Coordinator at Theatre at the Center,” adds Misovye.

Besides acting, Rowan a student at Millennium School is also involved in the Sci Fi Club and cross country.

“I love theater because of the interaction with the audience,” said Rowan. “In learning a play, I like memorizing the lines and then figuring out how to make it funny or serious - whatever the scene requires.”

“ It was important to Rowan that his agency be connected to theater because his dream is to be on Broadway,” said Tracie. “We are just beginning that journey so we’ll see what happens.”

Rowan will be in Tom Sawyer Friday, Oct. 16–Sunday, Oct. 18

• Friday, October 16 – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 17 – 2 p.m.
• Saturday, October 17 - 6 p.m.
• Sunday, October 18 – 3 p.m.

WHERE: Stagg High School Performing Arts Center, 8015 West 111th Street, Palos Hills, IL

TICKETS: 847-516-2298 or visit www.spotlight.org

$9-$12 presale, + $2 at the door

Group, child, and senior prices available

You may also order tickets to see Rowan in holiday production of “A Christmas Story” running November 19 - December 27, 2015. Visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com for more information.