band,” Theo says. “Katie was my
dream role in School of Rock. She is
very chill, just like me. Katie takes
it all in before turning it all out and
letting herself go with Dewey and the
band. We both love being musicians.
“School of Rock inspires kids and
adults to follow their dreams and go
for it. Don’t let anyone or anything
stop you from being who you are.
Show the world what’s inside of you
and who you truly are.
“School of Rock’s positive message
and fabulous music get the audience
out of their seats and on their feet
cheering!”
Theo says her parents believe
she was born to be a performer and
supported her interests with vocal,
acting, dance and musical training
since she was 6 years old. At 7, she
appeared off-Broadway in Annie Jr.
“My mom and dad support me on
every level — organizing my lessons
and training, finding me the best
manager and agent and traveling
with me on tour for School of Rock
this year and Once, the musical, two
years ago,” she explains.
“Most important, my parents
always check in with me and make
sure that being an actor is what I
want to do. They create a good bal-
ance of work, school and fun.”
While on tour, Theo follows a
strict schedule and finds her tutors
very helpful. Sometimes, she works
on extra lessons with her dad or
reads for her own enjoyment.
“I have 15 best friends on tour, and
we try and have meals in groups, go
swimming in the hotels and make
slime and slime videos when we get

details:

home from the theater,” she says. “I
FaceTime with my best friends from
home, and although I miss them, we
stay connected as much as possible.”
Away from the stage, Theo likes to
spend time with her very best friend,
Piper, and play guitar, experiment
with trapeze, rock climb, create
makeup and hair videos and do any-
thing with her dog, Jojo.
Her Jewish observances also
remain important.
“My family celebrates all of the
Jewish holidays together, and I will
have a bat mitzvah in January 2020,”
she says. “My Papa Howard [pater-
nal grandfather Howard Silverman]
teaches me about Judaism and our
history and the importance of family.
“My favorite holiday is Passover —
I’m usually first to find the afikomen.”
As Theo grows personally and
professionally, she finds that going
on tour has been educational in
many ways.
“School of Rock on tour has been
the greatest experience of my life,”
says Theo, who has counted nearly
200 performances in this show.
“We are 16 kids and families, cast
mates and classmates, with an
entire company of grownup actors,
management and crew that has
become family.
“We have a tight schedule filled
with roles, rules and responsi-
bilities. Our job has two parts —
studying at school and performing
eight shows a week. As our touring
schedule is so busy, I have learned
to listen and take direction well,
ask questions if I need help and
manage my time productively.” •

School of Rock — The Musical runs April 10-22 at the
Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Tickets start at $39.
(313) 872-1000; broadwayindetroit.com.

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April 5 • 2018

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