King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table will arrive at the Clark State Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, May 5 at 7 p.m. Tim Compston, age 10, of Springfield will play the part of Tom of Warwick, a young boy destined to be a knight.
Tim, a fifth grade student at Kenwood Elementary School, said he saw an opportunity and went for it, auditioning and landing the part in Camelot. “He saw an invitation to an open audition and asked if he could go,” said Josh Compston, Tim’s father. “His mother and I looked into the show and production company with Tim and saw that this would be a really exciting opportunity for him.”
Tim provided a 50-word biography and photo to the production company prior to his audition for the part of Tom of Warwick. Tim has participated in five other local stage productions including The Nutcracker last December.
Josh Compston said his son has quite an interest in the arts. “Tim has been a student at the Ohio Performing Arts Institute for a couple of years now,” he said. “He has acted in a few different local shows at the Turner Studio and in our local "’Art in the Park.’"
For his part in Camelot, Tim has been rehearsing with the help of his family. Tom of Warwick is the only part cast locally by the producer of the tour, Phoenix Entertainment. “His only rehearsal with the cast will be the day of the show,” said Josh. “He will have a costume fitting. Meet the cast. Block his scene and rehearse. Then, the performance that night.”
Tim said he is excited to play the part of Tom of Warwick and credits his teachers for encouraging him to pursue his goal. “I thank my music and acting teachers Tonya Reynolds, Greg Willis and Mrs. Craig for teaching me everything that I know.”
Josh said he and his wife Jen are both beaming with excitement for Tim, but more than anything, they are proud to see their son pursuing the activities he enjoys.
“We are all just so excited to be involved in good things in our community,” said Josh. “Given Springfield's history with the arts, we are excited to see our son help carry that history on.”
The 2015 National Tour of Lerner & Loewe's Camelot reimagines the classic tale of King Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot. Broadway's sweeping tale of passion, pageantry and betrayal is the winner of four Tony Awards and three Academy Awards.
Tickets for Camelot are on sale now at the Performing Arts Center Box Office, (937) 328-3874 or toll free at 1-866-PAC-TKTS (1-866-722-8587) or online at pactkts.com.