"Wah, Wah" were the first words spoken by one 4-foot, 11-inch girl in professional theater.
Who knew that performance would blossom into a career in musical theater?
Heather Bonahoom, 22, was cast as Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker." She was a 16-year-old playing the role of a 10-year-old. Bonahoom said the impact her character had on the audience has been her most rewarding acting experience.
"I realized that acting is a powerful and sacred gift that touches thousands of lives and awakens people's souls," Bonahoom said, "and I want to be able to give back and help people for the rest of my life."
Bonahoom, a native of Warsaw, became interested in acting at 7 years old. Her parents took her to see "The Sound of Music." She saw a girl in the play her own age.
"I remember thinking to myself when I saw her on stage, 'I can do that,' and the rest is history," Bonahoom said.
From that moment forward, her passion for theater grew.
Bonahoom's grandmother, Mary Bernice Graham, was her first vocal coach and her inspiration. Her grandmother's perseverance in the fight against cancer taught Bonahoom how to be driven to accomplish any goal.
"This will to live and succeed is what has gotten me this far in my career," Bonahoom said, "and will sustain me for many years to come."
Now she is making a career out of what was once an extracurricular activity. She specializes in children's roles, having portrayed Mary Lennox in "The Secret Garden" and Agnes in "Meet Me in St. Louis," among others.
During "Meet Me in St. Louis" at The Wagon Wheel Theatre, Bonahoom remembers working with another talented child actress. One scene involved a physical fight between the two girls.
"It was really fun to get to do something so outlandish on stage," Bonahoom said. "The audience loved it every night. It had to look cute with two young girls fighting over a doll."
Now Bonahoom is preparing to take her first steps in the real world, following her graduation from Millikin University this month with a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater.
She has regional theater work lined up from the time she graduates until the end of the year.
Bonahoom plans to move to New York City or Chicago soon to continue working in theater. Someday, she hopes to break into the movie and television business. Later in life, Heather plans on acquiring her master's degree in acting or directing.
Dr. Helen Gibbons, associate professor chair, voice and keyboard studies coordinator at Millikin University, spoke about some of the qualities Bonahoom has to offer the acting field. She described Bonahoom as driven, motivated, always prepared and a great team player.
"If I were running an acting troupe," Gibbons said, "I would most certainly want to hire Heather and others with similar attitudes and qualities."
Bonahoom offered some advice for aspiring child actors.
"Follow your heart and your dreams, and if you are strong enough, passionate enough, lucky enough, and work hard enough, you will achieve great rewards," she said.
For Bonahoom, the rewards keep on flowing.
No one will want to miss her upcoming performance this August as Millie in "Picnic" at The Wagon Wheel Theatre.
