The first time Noah Fisher set foot on a stage, he knew he was made for performing. And even though the seventh grader from Flatwoods is only 12, he is sure he’s found a career for life. “It’s so thrilling to have all these people come to see you,” Fisher said. “And it’s fun.”
A veteran of 12 community theater productions, Fisher is on the verge of having many more people see him when he hits the big screen. Fisher filmed a small role in the movie, “Nutcrackers,” starring Ben Stiller, in Wilmington, Ohio, earlier this year. “Ben’s really nice,” Fisher said. “He gave me some advice. He told me to have a backup plan.” “Nutcrackers” does not yet have a release date, but Fisher is excited to see himself on the big screen. “I wonder what it’s going to be like seeing everyone at the movie theater. I’ll have trouble keeping my cool.”
Fisher said he’s also looking forward to the movie premiering so that he can confirm his participation with his Russell Middle School classmates. “I’m 80 percent sure most of them don’t believe me,” he said. “I don’t blame them. It’s not the first thing you’d believe.” Until “Nutcrackers” debuts, Fisher has kept himself busy with other performances. He shot
another film in Michigan called “Recesses,” and from June to September, Fisher performed two to three nights a week in Chillicothe, Ohio, as part of the outdoor drama “Tecumseh,” which tells the story of the legendary Shawnee leader.
“It’s by far one of my favorite performances,” Fisher said. “There’s something about going out there and it all being real.
One of my favorite entrances is at a pond behind the stage. We get to just sit back and watch the pond. It’s one of my favorite things.”
Fisher also rides on a boat during production. “It’s one of my favorite things to do,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to do that on stage.” He plans to audition for “Tecumseh” every year but won’t be disappointed if he’s not selected for the cast. “If I don’t get picked, it will be cool that someone else got to try it out,” Fisher said.
Auditioning can be a tough part of acting, but Fisher has learned to take rejections in stride. “There were some auditions where I felt really comfortable, but I didn’t get the part,” he said. “I learned it happens and you go on.”
When he’s not on stage, filming a project, or auditioning, Fisher performs locally, including at area nursing homes. “There’s something about going to those places,” he said. “Knowing you were the cause of their smiles is incredible.”
When he’s not performing, Fisher likes to spend time with his friends or read. At school, he participates in archery, choir, and band playing the tuba.
“I have one slogan. You have one life, use it,” Fisher said. Fisher’s ultimate goal is to perform on Broadway and to one day shake the hand of his very favorite actor, Alex Brightman, who received two Tony Award nominations for his roles in “The School of Rock” and “Beetlejuice.”
“I believe anything with enough effort is possible,” Fisher said. “Keep pushing is one of my favorite things to say. Just don’t give up.”