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Reeves takes the stage at DeSoto Theatre
Eleven-year-old Clark Richard Reeves has rhythm, music
acting - and really, who could ask for anything more? In his book ,
the best thing in life is a stage and an audience.
Reeves got his first taste of fame and glory at the age of
5, while hanging out backstage at family friend Tanya Tuckers concert.
Tuckers daughter, Presley, then 8, was onstage yodeling. Tucker looked back
in the wings and saw Reeves' face just beyond the edge of the curtain.
She called him out to center stage and introduced him to the fans.
"I was terrified when Miss Tanya called my name," he said.
"Fortunately I couldn't see anyone because the lights were so
bright."
After the concert, people were asking him for his autograph, and he quickly
overcame his fears - in fact, he was hooked.
He began singing with a touring group, Sunshine Generations, and at age 7
auditioned for his first DeSoto Family Theatre event, a summer camp
performance of "School House Rock Live Jr."
Reeves went on to perform in DeSoto Family Theatre's "The Littlest
Angel," "Alice in Wonderland," "The Fourth
Wiseman,"
"Wizard of Oz," and "The Sound of Music." For the role
of Little Jake in "Annie Get Your Gun," he earned a Northwest
Mississippi Theatre Alliance award nomination.
Reeves also collaborated with his mother Lori, a performing children's
artist, on her pre-school show "Miss Lori Live," which was
performed for the second time at the DeSoto Civic Center Theater in
Southaven on Saturday, June 19. Reeves appeared as Little Bear, Wee
Willie Winkle, Little Turtle and himself in the live production.
The show teaches children finger plays (an example would be "Where is
Thumbkin?") and then brings the characters of the plays to life.
It also features a giant rag-doll piglet, Sqedunk, who is often portrayed by
Reeves' father, Sean.
Reeves wrote three songs on the children's video "Finger Plays with
Miss Lori" including the introductory song, Little Bear's song (one of
his roles in the show), and the ending song.
"There's a tune in 'Alice in Wonderland' that I liked, so I used
that," he said. "I called Mom on the phone, and I said it through
a couple times and tried different words until we got the song right, and
she wrote it down."
Lori Reeves said its not unusual for one or all of them to think of
something new to add to the show. Not only do Sean and Clark Richard
participate onstage, but even the canine members of their family have had
roles. Their Scottie dog Herbert, often performs in "Miss Lori
Live."
"It's important to have the whole family involved," she said,
smiling. "as far as music is concerned, it has a big presence at our
house. We sing all the time."
Reeves' mentors include his English teacher at DeSoto Central Middle School,
Leslie Harville, and DeSoto Family Theatre artistic director, William
Bailey.
"I want to be like Mr. William," Reeves said. "He's a very
nice person. He makes you feel good about yourself. He helps you find
things to do onstage that feel comfortable and help your acting." Lori
Reeves said DeSoto Family Theatre, the show's presenting sponsor this time,
has been a Godsend.
"DeSoto Family Theatre has been a wonderful world, a total outlet for
him," she said. "It's helped him develop his character and
his acting. Not only has he developed friendships with people his age,
but also with adults. And it's a class act. The shows they
perform are professional grade performances. He's learning good stuff."
Reeves will perform next in DeSoto Family Theatre's "The Music
Man" July 9 - 25. For tickets, call the DeSoto Civic Center box office
at 662 470 2131
Miss
Lori would like to Thank
Whitley Porter Reaves
for a great article!
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