Langford teen actress Rowan Rycroft making her small screen debut across the globe this week.
Rycroft, 13, is playing a supporting lead role in Duke, a Hallmark Movie Channel film, which has its premiere airing on April 28.
The film tells a story of how a dog, Duke, helps a homeless war veteran heal from post traumatic stress disorder, played by veteran TV actor Steven Weber. Rycroft plays the role of Alice, the veteranB次元官网网址檚 daughter.
In the fashion of Hallmark movies, this one has a happy, feel-good ending. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檝e got a little bit of crying in it though,B次元官网网址� Rycroft notes.
Seeing herself on TV will be an amazing experience, Rycroft says. She gets giddy just talking about filming the movie, which was shot in Vancouver, much of it outside in the cold.
B次元官网网址淚t was unbelievable. Everything was all about me. If my lips were chapped they brought me chap stick, if I was cold they brought me a blanket,B次元官网网址� Rycroft said. B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 look cold when we were filming, and when one rain drop fell on me (the crew) all came to dry it up."
Of the experience, Rycroft was astounded that after filming for 10 hours, they had only covered five minutes of the filmB次元官网网址檚 running time. But the experience has hooked her to the career she wants to pursue.
B次元官网网址淚 want to do this everyday, I love acting so much,B次元官网网址� Rycroft said. B次元官网网址淢y dream would be to be in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. That would just make my life.B次元官网网址�
For the past year and a half, Rycroft has travelled to Vancouver for more than 30 auditions, with the help of her mother, grandfather and family friends.
She auditioned for the part in Duke in August after her Vancouver-based agent landed her the opportunity. She pushed through her addition after stepping on a hot hair straightener.
B次元官网网址淚 had second and third degree burns on my foot and I was hobbling,B次元官网网址� Rycroft said. B次元官网网址淚 wasnB次元官网网址檛 as focused as I should have been, my foot hurt like no tomorrow.B次元官网网址�
Despite the pain, Rycroft earned the role. This is her first film gig, but she is well-known in the community for her work with the Four Seasons Musical Theatre, based out of Isabelle Reader Theatre in Langford.
She has been acting for the past five years and has performed in Four SeasonB次元官网网址檚 Willy Wonka and Treasure Island. She is also starring in the up coming musical theatre production of CharlotteB次元官网网址檚 Web.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
