LIHU‘E — Blessed few arrive on planet Earth knowing what they were born to do. Three exceptional Kaua‘i High School alumni defy that rule: The late Ethan Shell, Jorey Cantu and Kendal Beck. Shell’s mother Poppy Shell recently discovered pages
LIHU‘E — Blessed few arrive on planet Earth knowing what they were born to do. Three exceptional Kaua‘i High School alumni defy that rule: The late Ethan Shell, Jorey Cantu and Kendal Beck.
Shell’s mother Poppy Shell recently discovered pages written by her son when he was 9.
“He wrote, ‘I know I’m going to be an actor someday and support myself as an actor,’” she recited. “He never wavered. He never had a backup plan.”
When Shell, 21, died in January of natural causes, Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre responded quickly by creating a scholarship in his name. Cantu and Beck were the first to be awarded $1,000 each with the HCT Ethan Shell Memorial College Scholarship. The money awarded goes directly to the college. High-school seniors and college freshman are encouraged to apply, she said.
Ethan Shell, Cantu and Beck shared the stage, performing in HCT, the Kaua‘i Performing Arts Center program and Kaua‘i Singers.
“Ethan’s first show was ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,’ when he was 8,” said HCT secretary Debra Blachowiak.
Ethan Shell lived in New York City as a theater student at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and returned regularly to perform in the HCT summer programs.
Having met Ethan Shell as a freshman at Kaua‘i High School, Cantu had a dozen opportunities to work with him.
“He had not only talent but was so happy and alive and was able to share it with the audience,” she said. “The money from the scholarship is nice, but for me the scholarship is a gift directly from Ethan.”
Monies distributed for the inaugural scholarship were donated during Shell’s funeral in January. Sunday residents will have an opportunity to support 2011 college-bound theater students by participating in the first Ethan Shell Memorial Golf Tournament fundraiser at Puakea Golf Course in Lihu‘e.
Cantu, a sophomore at Notre Dame De Namur in Belmont, Calif. is pursuing master’s degrees in both English and theater.
“My mom’s an amazing teacher so I want to be just like her,” she said.
The 2009 Kaua‘i High School graduate had many leading roles in KPAC, notable among them was the lead in “Hello Dolly” her junior year. Last year the freshman performed in the hit musical “Chicago” and Stephen Sondheim’s, “Company.” She is home for the summer working as an assistant for HCT.
The other awardee and 2009 graduate, Beck, is a sophomore majoring in stage and screen acting at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
Both Beck and Cantu will perform in the HCT production of “Rent,” a rock opera opening July 15 at KAPA Warehouse Theatre in Puhi (see the related story).
Like Shell, Cantu and Beck imagined themselves on stage since childhood.
“At 3 I told my mom I wanted to be a movie star,” Beck said.
Beck had her start with HCT at 8. One of her favorite roles on the Kaua‘i stage was as Lady Macbeth in the KPAC production of “Macbeth.”
“It introduced me to Shakespeare and taught me how to appreciate him,” she said.
Cantu attributes her lead role in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” as the seed for lifelong friendships.
“The bonds that happened are because of that musical introducing me to all my beloved friends,” she said.
Off stage Cantu describes herself as shy.
“The stage is my home — it’s where I feel most myself,” she said. “My parents always taught me to follow my heart and this is where it brought me.”
The tournament tee time is 8 a.m. at the Puakea Golf Course in Lihu‘e. The format is a three-person scramble at $75 per person. There will be prizes and food from Hanalima Bakery. There will be entertainment by the “Rent” cast. Non-golfers can compete for prizes in a bonus competition spin-off of the current television show “Minute to Win It.” To register for the tournament call Ron, 639-3979, or the HCT office, 246-8985. Visit hawaiichildrenstheatre.com to register.
