Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
ENLARGE
Shadow duel
Performing as Cyrano de Bergerac, Scott Bossuet ‘nose’ who wins this duel during rehearsal Tuesday night. Bossuet will be in the play ‘Cyrano de Bergerac,’ which takes place this week at Roseburg High School.
|
ENLARGE
|
Aspiring actor
A hair dryer secures the prosthetic nose on the face of Roseburg senior Scott Bossuet as he prepares for the lead role in the RHS production. Looking on is actress Samantha Kress.
|
Actors can make an audience experience feelings of joy or sorrow, and Roseburg High School senior Scott Bossuet --an aspiring actor -- loves to evoke both.
"It's a thrilling experience when you make an audience laugh," Bossuet said. "It's also thrilling when you make them cry."
Bossuet (pronounced Boosh-way), 17, has performed in five plays at the high school and at his church, First Conservative Baptist. Starting Thursday, he will play the lead role of Cyrano in "Cyrano de Bergerac" at RHS.
The play is set in 17th century France and is about a swordsman and poet with a rather large nose. The character, Cyrano, believes no woman could ever love him because of his unsightliness so he assists another man, Christian, in winning the heart of the woman, Roxane, who he himself loves.
For the play, Bossuet had to memorize 375 lines. His drama teacher Brad Allen said he typically only has high school students memorize at most 250 lines.
But Bossuet is an exception. Allen has waited for 25 years to put on "Cyrano de Bergerac," but didn't have a student who could play the part.
Cyrano exhibits a range of emotions throughout the play from speaking softly and lovingly to raging with anger, which requires a talented actor. Allen thought Bossuet could handle the role.
"He has the intelligence, the stage presence, the passion, the coachability, and the breadth of character and confidence to be a working professional actor," Allen said.
But most importantly, Bossuet invests himself emotionally in his characters and is committed to his roles.
Bossuet has dedicated many hours to prepare for the play in addition to schoolwork. These days, a typical date for him and his girlfriend, Marissa Grimes, consists of practicing his lines.
"She's very supportive and that helps," Bossuet said.
Bossuet found his passion for acting during his sophomore year. He was told he was a good public speaker so he decided to use that talent to share real-life experiences with people through fictional plays.
"It's a thrilling experience when you make an audience laugh," Bossuet said. "It's also thrilling when you make them cry."
Bossuet (pronounced Boosh-way), 17, has performed in five plays at the high school and at his church, First Conservative Baptist. Starting Thursday, he will play the lead role of Cyrano in "Cyrano de Bergerac" at RHS.
The play is set in 17th century France and is about a swordsman and poet with a rather large nose. The character, Cyrano, believes no woman could ever love him because of his unsightliness so he assists another man, Christian, in winning the heart of the woman, Roxane, who he himself loves.
For the play, Bossuet had to memorize 375 lines. His drama teacher Brad Allen said he typically only has high school students memorize at most 250 lines.
But Bossuet is an exception. Allen has waited for 25 years to put on "Cyrano de Bergerac," but didn't have a student who could play the part.
Cyrano exhibits a range of emotions throughout the play from speaking softly and lovingly to raging with anger, which requires a talented actor. Allen thought Bossuet could handle the role.
"He has the intelligence, the stage presence, the passion, the coachability, and the breadth of character and confidence to be a working professional actor," Allen said.
But most importantly, Bossuet invests himself emotionally in his characters and is committed to his roles.
Bossuet has dedicated many hours to prepare for the play in addition to schoolwork. These days, a typical date for him and his girlfriend, Marissa Grimes, consists of practicing his lines.
"She's very supportive and that helps," Bossuet said.
Bossuet found his passion for acting during his sophomore year. He was told he was a good public speaker so he decided to use that talent to share real-life experiences with people through fictional plays.
With his character, Cyrano, Bossuet is able to show people that they're capable of overcoming disfigurement or emotional hardships.
Bossuet said he learns from every character he has ever played and finds all of his roles a challenge.
"If it's easy then you're not working hard enough," Bossuet said. "If you ever get a standing ovation at the end of a show you need to have earned it."
Last year, Bossuet performed the leading role of Tevye in the high school's spring musical, "Fiddler on the Roof." Bossuet never had any singing lessons, but took on the role because it was difficult.
"I flew by the seat of my pants," he said, chuckling. But he said he had fun and learned a lot.
Bossuet said he learns from every character he has ever played and finds all of his roles a challenge.
"If it's easy then you're not working hard enough," Bossuet said. "If you ever get a standing ovation at the end of a show you need to have earned it."
Last year, Bossuet performed the leading role of Tevye in the high school's spring musical, "Fiddler on the Roof." Bossuet never had any singing lessons, but took on the role because it was difficult.
"I flew by the seat of my pants," he said, chuckling. But he said he had fun and learned a lot.
PLAY
at a glance <b>WHAT:</b> ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’
<b>WHEN:</b> 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday <b>WHERE:</b> Rose Theatre at Roseburg High School. <b>COST:</b> Tickets are $5 each and are available at Hanson Jewelers, While Away Books and at the box office the day of the show <b>INFORMATION:</b> 440-4142 |
Next fall, Bossuet plans to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene and major in business or acting. No matter what, he will be doing some sort of performing.
He is mostly interested in acting in theater productions rather than television shows or movies because he likes being in front of an audience and seeing people's reactions.
Bossuet is grateful for the support of his parents, Jackie and Dave Bossuet, and his 21-year-old sister, Michelle. He also commended the crew of actors and actresses he has worked with. It's always sad when a production is over.
"You never get the experience of being with those people in that performance again," he said, adding they become a family.
This spring, Bossuet plans to take on another role in one of the high school's plays, but between Thursday and Saturday, he will be Cyrano.
Allen said he'll do great.
"He's steeped with experience way beyond his years ... he also approaches his work with a professionalism that's much closer to college actors," Allen said.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
He is mostly interested in acting in theater productions rather than television shows or movies because he likes being in front of an audience and seeing people's reactions.
Bossuet is grateful for the support of his parents, Jackie and Dave Bossuet, and his 21-year-old sister, Michelle. He also commended the crew of actors and actresses he has worked with. It's always sad when a production is over.
"You never get the experience of being with those people in that performance again," he said, adding they become a family.
This spring, Bossuet plans to take on another role in one of the high school's plays, but between Thursday and Saturday, he will be Cyrano.
Allen said he'll do great.
"He's steeped with experience way beyond his years ... he also approaches his work with a professionalism that's much closer to college actors," Allen said.
* You can reach reporter Danielle Gillespie at 957-4202 or by e-mail at dgillespie@newsreview.info.
