Natalie Crescenzi saved money from her 9th birthday to give a donation to the Theatre Arts Guild, making her the youngest (and certainly most adorable) guild member ever.
“I wanted the ice cream,” she said. “I like sprinkles.”
For a fourth grader with a sweet tooth, the guild’s annual Ice Cream Social is powerful incentive, but Natalie also happens to have the theater bug. Her mother, Reneé, works in the Wold Performing Arts Center, and Natalie became dazzled by the Wold’s resident leading lady, Jan McArt.
“I want to be an actress,” Natalie said. “It seems like fun.”
She is taking acting classes, with one commercial wrapped and a possible cameo in the works at the Wold. Her dream is to star on the Disney Channel, but for now she likes to sing, dance and play with her pets (a cat and three guinea pigs).
“I have no idea if acting will be a long-term interest for her or just a fun hobby,” mom Reneé said. “But as long as she’s having fun, I’m happy.”
McArt said Natalie will make quite an impression at guild events, not only because she’s decades younger than most members, but because she’s a role model for generosity.
“She’s a darling,” McArt said. “We’re honored she considered the guild worthy of her birthday money. We have high hopes for our youngest member.”
In addition to the Ice Cream Social, another perk of Natalie’s membership is an invitation to the guild’s annual cocktail party.
“But wait,” she said, all freckles and curls. “What’s a cocktail?”
