EMBRACING THE STAGE, TRUSTING GOD’S WILL
It was his first ever theater performance, and it had to be The Lion King. That’s Davao’s Julien Joshua “JJ” Millanes Dolor when he got the role of the “Young Simba” for the Manila run of The Lion King’s International Tour by Cassel Group in association with Disney Theatrical Productions. He alternated with young stage veterans Omar Uddin and Juan Gabriel Tiongson from March till May 2018.
He not only landed a key role, JJ also upped the ante for first-time theater performers when he did the gala premier in the Singapore run of the show last June 27, 2018. For theater performers, especially of big productions like The Lion King, doing the gala premier is a coveted performance.
“’Nung time na yun parang surreal pa rin ang lahat. Pero sabi ko sa sarili ko, ito na talaga to... hooyah! Go go go!” JJ told Sun.Star Davao in an online interview.
JJ is the son of former Sun.Star Davao youth columnist Marnellie Millanes and Julien B. Dolor, a Philippine Navy Seals officer, which explains the “hooyah” cheer.
As revealed in the Sun.Star article about his making it to the musical published on October 28, 2017, JJ auditioned on a whim after his mother saw a call for auditions on Facebook.
He looks forward to having a proper military haircut once the Singapore run ends in September 2018 though. Used to short haircuts, he had to grow his hair for the role.
It’s a bigger stage in Singapore with a lot of new crew members. “New people means new friends,” he said. JJ’s positivity is overflowing. His photos as Young Simba have been gracing the souvenir programs and entertainment articles in Singapore. But he remains humble. When asked what the experience has taught him, he said, “I learned this character trait to be more sensitive to other people.”
“I learned that we have to be proud of our culture and heritage. It showed me that in one way or another we are interconnected. Just like the lyrics of the song Circle of Life: It’s the circle of life and it moves us all, through despair and hope, thru faith and love.”
His other lessons? As a stage actor: “Be truthful to yourself and to the audience when you act. Always listen to your co-actors especially during the show because it will help you remember your lines and timings. Have a good learning attitude by being humble and taking notes and heeding to those notes. And.... be on time always.”
As a Filipino and a Dabawenyo: “I think I became more patriotic because I see the other cast proudly wearing their local products and so I am inspired to also wear mine from Davao and Mindanao. Sometimes I even go to work wearing a Davao T-shirt! I learned that we have to be proud of our culture and heritage. It showed me that in one way or another we are interconnected. Just like the lyrics of the song Circle of Life: It’s the circle of life and it moves us all, through despair and hope, thru faith and love.”
For children and their dreams: “Always pray -- for God to show you His will for your life. My parents’ prayer for me and my brother Jeremiah has always been that God’s Will be done for us. Whatever talent that God gives you, use it to glorify Him. Thanks to my parents who always reminded me that it is never about me or my talent, but it is always about God’s purposes for me. Whenever I am on stage, I always think that Jesus is watching me so I have to give my best. Also, always be thankful for your portion. Whatever God gives you, just be thankful and do not complain. Someone also told me to never compare yourself to others because there is no one like you. So... give your best, be yourself and God will do the rest.”
That’s a mouthful from an 11-year-old. But the fact that he got a major role on his first attempt to perform onstage and quickly earned his colleagues’ respect show there is more to this boy than his engaging smile.