Kootenai Kids: ‘Princess’ role teaches teen real-life lesson

Kelly Condon found out firsthand how it feels to be mean.

It was a stretch for the sweet, polite Lakes Middle School student to take on the character of Lavinia in the Lake City Playhouse’s musical production of “A Little Princess.” Her portrayal of a rude and jealous girl allowed Kelly to broaden her acting skills while realizing something more.

“I learned about being thankful for who I am and not being the role I’m playing,” she said. “It’s fun to be an opposite and to do the show and see it from a different point of view.”

Director Laura Little vouches for the fact that in real life Kelly is not naughty, but nice. In her heart, Kelly is the “little princess,” Little said.

“She’s very giving and kind,” Little said. “She never gives anyone a bad look, and she has a positive attitude.”

Kelly’s real-life personality is a closer match to Sara, the main character in the princess story. Kelly played that role brilliantly a few years ago in a production in Spokane, which also was directed by Little.

“When she played the princess, people left the theater crying,” Little said. “She has these natural instincts that barely took any guidance at all.”

At age 14, Kelly is now considered “too old” for the lead role in “A Little Princess.” Sara is a young girl who is going through hardships in her life and remains positive. Her gentle acts of kindness come back to her, Little said.

The theme is fitting with a unique aspect of this playhouse event. A portion of one night of ticket sale proceeds will be donated to a fund for North Idaho Cancer Center patients. Little initiated this idea after completing an internship there as a medical assistant this winter.

“I just grew so tied to these people,” she said. “If you had told me there were so many people with cancer in this little area, I would have never believed it.”

Several of the playhouse cast have a connection to cancer patients, including Kelly. She lost her grandmother to breast cancer a few years ago.

“I was only 10, but I knew it was really hard on the whole family,” she said. “Just seeing what people go through, to try and help and cure cancer, it would be a good way to use my gift.”

She believes that the community already grants her a favor every time she is allowed on stage, and so donating one night’s work will be her offering in return.

“They’re giving me a gift in their applause,” she said. “They’re supporting me.”

Kelly has been honing her talents since age 6, when she first became involved with the Christian Youth Theater in Spokane. She studied acting, singing and dance and has appeared in a number of shows over the years.

“At first I didn’t know anything about acting, and now I feel I could have a script thrown upon me and have it memorized in a few hours,” she said.

The Christian Youth Theater honored her with two awards. The “Rose Award” is given to one who most reflects God through kindness, and the “Spark Plug Award” is given to the person with the most energy.

Kelly hasn’t let the constant rehearsals interfere with her schoolwork or family time. She is an A student, and her mother, Wanda, is providing piano accompaniment for “A Little Princess” while her younger sister, Brenna, has a role as townsperson.

Kelly claims to love everything about entertaining, including the butterflies in her stomach and the confidence she gains after completing a show. Challenges come up, like performances that run later than expected, or the sore throat or voice that feels strained. But the former “princess” remains positive. She says she takes it all as an opportunity to feel grateful that God is on her side through everything.