St. Joseph Middle School’s Canyon Alwes has a passion for acting.
But he’s not sure where it originated.
“It started before I can remember,” the 14-year old said. “It was just a passion that formed. I don’t know exactly how; it was just always there.”
Canyon’s parents picked up on it, though.
By age 5, the young boy’s father built him a theater in his basement.
“I’d set it up to however I wanted it to be, and I’d invite a couple friends over and we’d just act like we were on stage,” he said. “That was the best thing ever back then.”
The gift helped him grow in his love for acting by also developing his ability to dream big.
“I thought I was singing and on Broadway or something,” he said.
“I just thought I was some big star on the stage, and that’s what I pretended to be back then.”
By age 6, Canyon was auditioning and performing in plays.
Over the years he’s taken on characters in “The Christmas Story” and “Billy Elliott,” which are a few of his favorites.
Also on his favorite list is playing Arty Kurnitz in the Twin City Theater Company’s production of “Lost in Yonkers” this weekend.
The play will run on March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Sodo Theater located at 111 S Walnut St. , in Champaign.
Canyon said because Arty is a similar in age, he feels like he can relate.
“I can kind of relate to the struggles of being bored or in a bad environment sometimes,” he said.
Through his time with the Twin City Theater Company and Champaign Park District’s productions, Canyon has been able to work with actors of all ages.
“I just like that I meet people that I never thought I would meet,” he said. “And then I turn out to be friends with someone that I never thought I’d choose being friends with.”
But above all, it goes back to the support and opportunities his parents give Canyon to live out his passions.
“They’ll basically do anything in their power that they can to get me to where I need to go,” he said.
“It means the world to me because I want to keep acting and pursue this passion and I want to make it big someday. I need people to help me along the way.”
Canyon hopes that he does end up on Broadway one day.
Until then, he plans on challenging himself with new characters and working toward lead roles.
St. Joseph Middle School’s Canyon Alwes has a passion for acting.
But he’s not sure where it originated.
“It started before I can remember,” the fourteen-year old said. “It was just a passion that formed. I don’t know exactly how; it was just always there.”
Canyon’s parents picked up on it, though.
By age five, the young boy’s father built him a theater in his basement.
“I’d set it up to however I wanted it to be, and I’d invite a couple friends over and we’d just act like we were on stage,” he said. “That was the best thing ever back then.”
The gift helped him grow in his love for acting by also developing his ability to dream big.
“I thought I was singing and on Broadway or something,” he said.
“I just thought I was some big star on the stage, and that’s what I pretended to be back then.”
By age six, Canyon was auditioning and performing in plays.
Over the years he’s taken on characters in “The Christmas Story” and “Billy Elliott,” which are a few of his favorites.
Also on his favorite list is playing Arty Kurnitz in the Twin City Theater Company’s production of “Lost in Yonkers” this weekend.
The play will run on March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Sodo Theater located at 111 S Walnut St. in Champaign.
Canyon said because Arty is a similar in age, he feels like he can relate.
“I can kind of relate to the struggles of being bored or in a bad environment sometimes.”
Through his time with the Twin City Theater Company and the Champaign Park District’s productions, Canyon has been able to work with actors of all ages.
“I just like that I meet people that I never thought I would meet,” he said. “And then I turn out to be friends with someone that I never thought I’d choose being friends with.”
But above all, it goes back to the support and opportunities his parents give Canyon to live out his passions.
“They’ll basically do anything in their power that they can to get me to where I need to go.
“It means the world to me because I want to keep acting and pursue this passion and I want to make it big someday. I need people to help me along the way.”
Canyon hopes that he does end up on Broadway one day.
Until then, he plans on challenging himself with new characters and working towards lead roles.
