When most people explore a new hobby, it takes them precious time—sometimes many years—to refine a craft before getting comfortable with it. When 13-year-old Maple Grove resident Brandon Brooks took up a new hobby, he struck instant success.
It all started when his mother saw an online listing for open auditions at Stages Theatre Company. “She suggested that maybe acting would suit me,” says Brandon. “I decided to give it a shot and I’m quite glad that I did!”
Auditioning was a brand new experience for Brandon. “Many of the kids in the waiting area were talking about the shows they’d done before,” he remembers. “I thought I was going to be completely incomparable.”
So he was surprised to be offered the lead role of Peter Hatcher in Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing. While veteran actors relied on experience, Brandon depended on his natural instincts. “Brandon has an amazing capacity to grasp and create a character that is accessible to even our youngest audience members,” explains Sandy Boren-Barrett, artistic director at Stages Theatre. “He comes to rehearsals ready to work, completely memorized and, most importantly, he is having a ball, each and every time he comes to the theatre.”
Brandon continued to have a blast in one more role at Stages Theatre before being cast as Grand Duke Wilfred, the arch enemy in the Children’s Theatre Companies’(CTC) production of Dr. Seuss’s The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. “His skills are really striking for someone so early in his career,” says 500 Hats director, Peter Brosius. “Brandon has a unique ability to listen and play to other actors. He is willing to take risks physically, emotionally and vocally.”
The risk with Grand Duke Wilfred, Brandon describes, was in playing “a spoiled brat.”
“I loved being able to really explore that character and get a feel for how someone like that would behave,” Brandon explains. “I also liked getting to kick veteran actor Bradley Greenwald in the shins.”
Although that shin kick was planned, Brandon has had his share of unplanned mishaps. “I’ve had to do a lot of improvisation,” he chuckles. Brandon once slipped and dropped a bowl, spilling sand, a palm tree and a wooden turtle across the stage. He also had to make up lines when his bow and arrow dropped off the set. “It’s definitely been eventful,” Brooks concludes with the same ease he exhibits in dealing with the unexpected.
The past two years have been surprising to him. Five auditions and five roles—there’s no better average. “I’ve been incredibly lucky so far,” he humbly admits. “Memorization comes easy to me but in the end, it also comes down to dedication. I love acting and I’m very committed to it.”
His commitment has led to a role in the upcoming CTC production of the musical spectacle Annie, which runs April 12 through June 12. It’s a tale that inspires children to never give up, and there’s little chance that Brandon is slowing.
He hopes to attend the summer training program at CTC this year and has been accepted to the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists to continue training as an actor. When asked what else he might want to accomplish in the future, he answers as any 13-year old might. “I honestly haven’t thought about it yet,” he says. “Right now I’m focusing on my current show and preparing to be thrust into my high school years.”
Whatever the future holds for Brandon Brooks, it’s sure to be dramatic.
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See Brandon in Annie
Where: Children’s Theatre Company’s UnitedHealth Group Stage
When: April 12-June 26
Cost: Single tickets start at $20 (lap pass $10). 612.874.0400
Brandon Brooks: Behind the costume
Team he roots for: the Twins
Pastimes: his cat, reading and playing the piano
Mentor: Duncan Frost, a performing apprentice at CTC
His dream role: Sir Alaric in Bartholomew Cubbins
