Performer finds theatrical feet in song

Charli Robinson almost feels like she’s spent half of 2017 on stage.

The 14-year-old Waiopehu College student played the lead role in the Annie stage play, modelled and designed a category-winning Evento costume and performs with the school senior choir.

Charli said it was a careful juggling act managing all her commitments, particularly because Evento fell immediately after the last Levin Performing Arts Society Annie show in July.

‘‘Annie was amazing. The rehearsals were three days a week for quite a while. It was so much work and a lot of fun.

‘‘I was most nervous for the first rehearsals, tackling new segments, getting up there with your script and going with something completely new. But for the performance, I knew it so well, so it wasn’t so scary.’’

She has taken singing lessons for the past three years, but hadn’t ventured into acting before this year.

‘‘The director asked me to audition and I thought I could give it a go, and I got Annie. That was kind of crazy. I like the character, and I liked the vibe back stage and being on stage performing to a crowd. It’s a big confidence boost as well. Now, I’m not so nervous going on stage.’’

Robinson teamed up with friend Alexis Van Hagen to work together on their entry for the Evento Wearable Arts Awards show.

They won the Asian-inspired category, a recycling award and were runners-up for hair and make-up.

Their creation was partly made from colourful origami, which Charli and Alexis and their friends spent several months folding.

‘‘We’d researched colours and what they meant, and that’s why we chose certain colours.’’

Music or art are likely to feature in whatever Charli chooses to do when she leaves school, she says.