Theatre a way of life for student

The old adage “the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree” holds true for one sophomore at West Port High School.

Corinne Proetto

Since she was a young child, Corinne Proetto has enjoyed stepping onto a stage.

“I have been acting for as long as I can remember due to the fact that my mom, Rita Proetto, is a drama teacher,” she said.

For the younger Proetto the stage is now at West Port High School and her drama teacher is Janet Shelley.

She recently played the role of Tammy in the school’s production of Hairspray and Ensemble in Footloose. These roles she credits for helping her grow as an actress. She serves as an officer this year for the drama club which she says is helping her develop her leadership skills.

Proetto is also involved with the Ocala Civic Theatre and has been on their stage for many shows.  In the summer she worked as an intern at the theatre group, teaching acting classes to youngsters, acting as the assistant director or helping out in the costume shop for children’s shows.

She lists her hobbies as rollerblading, reading, writing, drawing, dancing, singing and acting.

“There is nothing I love more than acting,” she said.

Her current activities could serve her well in the future.

She hopes to attend the New Studio on Broadway: Musical Theatre program at New York’s University Tisch School of the Arts. Her ultimate goal is acting in her hometown of Manhattan and eventually opening her own theatre.

In August, Proetto’s stage will be the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. She is one of a dozen students going to the prestigious festival. The West Port High School drama program was one of 48 out of 2,000 nominations, and the only one from Florida invited to attend the festival.

As a result of that invitation, Proetto and the rest of the students, parents and Shelley are working to raise the necessary funds for the trip. They’ve raised about $50,000 of the necessary $90,000, so far.

Proetto has, as have other students Scotland bound, helped with their many fundraisers. She is also selling a discount card for area businesses to anyone interested in purchasing one for $10.

She’s appreciative of any donation the group gets for their Scotland fund. Likewise, she is appreciative of all her mother has done for her and her siblings.

“My mom has really been my biggest supporter,” she said, adding that she was single mom, but is now engaged to Eric Corbe.

Those wishing to support the drama students – for what Proetto calls an “amazing opportunity” – can submit donations to West Port High School, Drama Department, 3733 S.W. 80th Ave., Ocala, Fl., 34481.  For information about getting a discount card, call the school at 291-4000.