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***image1***Theatergoers in the KMC may one day say they knew Juliana R. Knaup back when.
They may remember her as the orphan Duffy in the 415th Base Support Battalion KMC Onstage’s “Annie” or as The Goose in the 435th Services Squadron Razz-Ma-Tazz Family Theater production of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
“I want to be on stage and television,” said Juliana, who was born in Kaiserslautern on Christmas Day 1992. “I just want to do a lot of acting.”
The 12-year-old has already done a lot of acting, appearing in 12 Kaiserslautern theater productions since the age of 5. She is currently performing in “School House Rock Live Junior,” which opens 7 p.m. today at KMC Onstage, Bldg. 3232 on Kleber Kaserne.
“‘School House Rock Live’ is a stage version of all the Saturday morning cartoons that we all grew up loving like ‘I’m just a Bill’ and ‘Conjunction Junction,’” said Laurie Ellington, the 415th BSB entertainment director.
The stage version is two hours, but the junior version is only one and is tailored to younger actors, according to Mrs. Ellington.
“I wanted to do this show to offer young actors in the KMC the experience of working in a big theater and on a really great show that is a lot of fun,” she said.
***image2***Juliana’s acting dreams have been cultivated by several of the local theaters.
“Razz-Ma-Tazz, KMC Onstage and Playhouse Theater have played a big part in Juliana’s career choice,” said Juliana’s mother, Cindy Krewson, who is doing the lighting for “School House Rock Live Junior.” “Our local theaters give her the whole aspect of theater, not just ‘Oh, I’m going to be an actor,’ but she also learns to deal with a variety of directors and fellow actors.
“She gets the aspect that not everybody is going to be the famous actress, but you can at least be involved in theater one way or the other,” she said.
Juliana’s budding acting career is backed by the whole family.
“My oldest daughter is specializing in public relations at college,” said Mrs. Krewson. “When people ask her why, she tells them that she’s got to represent her sister.”
Juliana’s father, Steve H. Knaup, is also in the act.
“He encourages her and gets involved by doing sound and videography for all the shows,” said Mrs. Krewson.
Besides helping with lighting, Juliana’s mother helps out in various jobs backstage and has had her share of the limelight. After Juliana dared her, she tried out for the role of Mama Bear at the Razz-Ma-Tazz Family Theater’s “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” and she got the part. She also portrayed several characters in “Annie.”
“I was involved in theater when I was in high school and college, more than 20 years ago,” said Mrs. Krewson. “I always went to theater performances and took Juliana to almost all the Razz shows.”
***image3***Juliana’s acting experience at the local theaters has already paid off. She earned €10 for each rehearsal and show at Pfalztheater in Kaiserslautern for her role as a circus performer in the “Circus Princess” in 2004. She is currently in rehearsals, as well as those for “School House Rock Live Junior,” for the Pfalztheater’s “Tosca,” which opens this fall.
“Juliana has a lot talent,” said Paula Fairbrother, Razz-Ma-Tazz Family Theater producer, director and technical director. “She’s very eager to learn and she’s willing to take small roles, which a lot of young actresses don’t understand that small roles are sometimes the most memorable.”
Juliana’s role as The Goose in “Jack and the Beanstalk” earned her a second place for a minor role in last year’s Installation Management Activity-Europe’s One Act Plays awards.
“I just tryout, and I always get the perfect part,” said Juliana, who attends the Albert-Schweitzer Gymnasium (high school) in Kaiserslautern. “It always works out fine.”
Juliana has taken gymnastics and dance gymnastics on the economy since she was 2-years-old. Her gymnastics skills are showcased in her role as Interplanet Janet in “School House Rock Live Junior.”
