Tori Mooney

She's been green. She's had facial hair, suffered the angst of being the ugly stepsister, and she's gotten her guy, despite "have'n a gun," but local actress Tori Mooney is most passionate about, well, being herself. "I would describe myself as an average teenager, passionate about musical theatre, and totally, honestly, being myself. I love being my own person." Pretty ironic words for a girl who specializes in character roles, and losing herself in another person's identity, yet Tori is most comfortable in her own skin.

Most days you can find the Hilton Head Christian Academy senior spicing up her personal style with "splendid" sneakers, a really "swell" scarf, and coordinating earrings or beret. In fact, at HHCA's recent prom, Tori was awarded the senior superlative of "Best Accessorizer" an indication of the love and support that she has found amidst her classmates. "I feel comfortable," Tori explained. "I'm accepted for who I am and what I do. My friends and family are supportive- even if I'm green. they find it cool."

It all began in seventh grade when she found that she really enjoyed acting in HHCA's middle school play. "If you had told me then that I would be where I am now, I wouldn't have believed you," she smiled. Then, the summer before her freshman year, she played Sara Kangaroo in Seussical at the Main Street Youth Theatre and something clicked. "I felt more myself when I was on stage," she explained. From that point on, she's been going full speed ahead, appearing in more than thirteen shows at the Main Street Theatre, in a professional production of South Pacific at the Arts Center, and numerous competitions and plays at Hilton Head Christian Academy. She was recently awarded a scholarship from the Sun City Community Theatre for her involvement in theatre and the arts throughout the community. This fall she will attend The Hartford Conservatory in Connecticut, a performing arts school for musical theatre.

One of the professional actors who has won Tori's admiration is a man by the name of Christopher Fitzgerald, a young, character actor on Broadway who, in Tori's words, plays a "wicked Young Frankenstein." "I got to meet him," she enthused. "He was totally humble, not stuck up. He took time and was kind and interested in me. He didn't forget where he came from." It's the kind of approach that's very important to Tori.

 "People sometimes think that I'm focused on becoming famous and going to Broadway, and that would be great," Tori explained. "But, for me, it's not my ultimate goal. My goal is to be happy making a living at what I love- whether it's Broadway or cruises, touring in shows or summer stock. Having the opportunity to impact someone's life, with a positive, humble attitude that comes from being true to yourself, and where you came from- that's what's important." Bravo!