Twelve-year-old Kaylin Poirier of Fir Mountain, Sask., turns heads in summer theatre production of Tarzan
FIR MOUNTAIN, Sask. — Broadway may call for Kaylin Poirier one day, but for now, the 12-year-old actress is content with her ranch life at Fir Mountain.
Fresh from playing a young Tarzan in the musical of the same name at the Fort Peck Theatre in Glasgow, Montana, this summer, the Grade 7 student returned to her regular routine, taking the long bus ride to Glentworth Central School and tending to more than 30 farm cats.
“Someone said I should consider Broadway, but no, Fort Peck is big enough for me,” said Kaylin, who has attended two week performing arts camps there for the last four summers.
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The camps taught her the ropes of theatre production from creating the set to acting on the stage.
That successfully built on her many years of lessons in dance, piano and voice back home, she said.
The Glasgow Courier reviewer had strong reviews for the young star:
“Early in the production, Kaylin Poirier launched onto stage, showing obvious pleasure in performing her role as the younger Tarzan. She scrambled, monkey-like, inhabiting her character with abandon while avoiding anything overly cartoonish. Poirier’s performance is reason enough for theatergoers to take in this production.”
Her parents, Monty and Bev, say their daughter is focused.
“She is passionate about anything she sets her mind to. She will stick with it and within weeks has mastered a complicated sonatina,” said Monty, who cited her unwavering performance of Hallelujah at her grandmother’s funeral.
Ranching is also something Kaylin is good at, say the Poiriers, who have a 300 head cow-calf operation.
“Kaylin has got quite a love for animals,” said Monty. “She’s a pretty accomplished cow person.”
Kaylin said she enjoys 4-H beef projects and working with cattle.
“That’s a part of me, too.”
She was one of 60 children who auditioned at the Peck Theatre, with only one lead role available for a child, said Andy Meyers, the theatre’s artistic director.
He called it a physical, high energy role in which she had to act ape-like throughout.
She did not disappoint with her acting, singing and dancing ability.
“She stole the show,” Meyers said. “She was strong coming in and so willing to learn.”
He praised her level of self-confidence and credited her parents for their strong support.
He hopes to see her audition again next year.
“Kaylin is such a team player, it wouldn’t mater to her if she played the lead or was dancing in the ensemble,” he said.
Kaylin was surprised, happy and more than a little shocked when chosen as Tarzan.
“I thought I’d be one of the jungle citizens,” she said.
Then came a thick script that proved a little intimidating.
Monty described how he first heard that she had landed the role.
“It was in March, just before calving, we had snow, and all of a sudden I hear a blood curdling scream from the house,” he said.
After three weeks of rehearsals, the play opened July 31 and ran during the first half of August.
During this time, the Poiriers stayed in the family’s trailer at Glasgow, about 140 kilometres from their 101-year-old farm that grows 2,000 wheat, lentils and hay.
Kaylin was not paid for her performances, but Bev said she gained much from the experience of working with professional actors.
“She earned more than money,” she said.
Kaylin said the experience has increased her interest in the theatre arts, noting she will attend the camp next year and audition again for roles there.
Contact karen.morrison@producer.com
