"It's a truly inspiring story. The hero, Bastian, is the kid who is always picked last for everything, but the story says that having imagination is important and it can save a whole world of people," said Chisholm. "I saw the movie when I was in first grade and that experience just stuck with me. The idea that what you imagine can become real."
In "The Neverending Story," Bastian runs away from some bullies and begins reading a wonderful book. As he reads about the hero Atreyu and the luck dragon Falkor, he finds that his comments begin to influence the action. To stop the world of Fantastica from dissolving into nothing, somebody must give the Childlike Empress a new name-something Bastian knows that he can do, if only they can hear him!
Michael Ende's bestselling novel has inspired several movies, one live television series, an opera and a ballet. Seattle Children's Theatre's new adaptation uses puppets both big and small, new music by Northwest rock group Heart and a strong belief in their audience's own fantastical imagination. Judging from the enthusiastic response of the opening night crowd, this treatment works just fine.
"We have such an eager audience. For an actor, that's terrific," said Chisholm, who guides numerous puppets during the performance as well as playing the Childlike Empress and Nighthob.
One of Chisholm's most challenging moments comes when she plays one of the venomous legs of the monstrous spider Ygramul.
"There's strobe lights, a person flying overhead, and you're having to act with your whole body," she said. "Kathryn Van Meter (the movement coach) and Douglas Paasch (the puppet designer) worked out these terrific movements for all of us playing Ygramul and then how to speed those up. We devoted quite a bit of time to that, just to build up the strength in our arms for carrying the pieces. There's so many elements in that scene that there is a potential for really hurting each other. But everyone involved is so respectful of the actors and so aware of the danger."
Besides being a spider leg, Chisholm's puppets also include a Wind Giant and the head of an ancient turtle called Morla. "All of the puppets that Douglas designed are simply incredible," said Chisholm.
When she was a Cornish student, Chisholm helped sell concessions at SCT. Last spring, she was an understudy for "Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like." This is her first show at SCT.
"When I was selling concessions, I would sneak in and watch whatever show was playing. At 20-something, I'd be just as excited about what was happening on the stage as the children," said Chisholm.
As an actor at SCT, Chisholm finds the cast's commitment to the show is just as high as any theater production around town. "Everyone has this incredible dedication to the show and this incredible willingness to take risks," she said.
As typical with SCT show, each performance ends with a question-and-answer period. The most frequent question deals with how Falkor (played by Hans Altwies) flies.
"What I've noticed is that they always ask how Falkor does it, but nobody asks about how Atreyu flies when he's on Falkor's back. By that point in the show, they just accept that he's somehow riding on the dragon's back," said Chisholm.
Actually, all the actors are kept aloft by the Foy system, first created in the 1950 for Broadway performances of "Peter Pan" and a staple of theaters ever since.
"The Neverending Story" runs through Jan. 27. With multiple performances in a week, the schedule can be grueling. But Chisholm is enjoying the work so much that the long hours are just fine.
"We got Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off, and a little bit of a break. I have family here so that was OK," said Chisholm.
Once "The Neverending Story" closes, Chisholm will develop a new piece with Darren Dewse for 12 Minutes Max at On the Boards.
"Then I'm planning to spend summer in Chicago. I have a friend there and we'll be checking out the theater scene," she said.
After that, Chisholm is open to any opportunity. Like the characters in "The Neverending Story," she knows that using a little imagination has the potential to make dreams come real.
'The Neverending Story'
Tickets: $17 to $33
Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St.
www.sct.org or 206-441-3322
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