THEWIRE

Cape Sophomore Signs Acting Contract

By Olivia Henning

 

Aaron Latta-Morissette is a 15-year-old sophomore at Cape Henlopen High School. He was recently accepted into Linda Townsend Management, out of Maryland, with the help of his moms and theatre instructor, Mrs. Pfeiffer.

 

“Up until I was thirteen, I decided that I wanted to be a doctor because I figured I’d make good money and have a happy life,” Aaron explained. He quickly realized how much he disliked science and shifted his career path to acting, as making people laugh was his main source of making friends. The only thing holding him back was the fact that he had never actually acted before.

 

Upon entering high school at Cape Henlopen, he was told by upper-classmen that he would not make it past his first year in theatre, because Mrs. Pfeiffer is so tough. At first, Aaron said he was very nervous about looking silly while on stage, but Pfeiffer and the other theatre students were able to help him put those fears behind him for good.

 

“Within the first month of being on stage with her we became quite comfortable with each other, and halfway through the year we had an unbreakable bond,” Aaron said. “I've learned literally everything I know from her.” 

 

Mrs. Pfeiffer explained that, “Aaron is like a piece of clay that the director can continuously mold to produce the perfect piece of art.” She mentioned how excited and proud she was that Aaron was seriously pursuing this career and that “he is my best shot at having a date to the Tony Awards.” 

 

Once Aaron started getting roles, he knew what he had to do; he had to become known. His mother went to high school with a now-famous independent film director, Brad Mays, and Aaron was able to go to New York for a few weekends and help film a documentary. In the movie credits he was listed as “Production Assistant,” and went to the movie premiere where he met famous and well-connected people.

 

“My mama is the reason I have an agent, plain and simple,” Aaron said proudly. “From the day I told her of my unobtainable dream, she made it her business to make it completely obtainable.” Aaron is lucky enough to have two mothers that fully support and love him. From sending out headshots, driving countless miles and helping him to get in contact with agencies, his moms have been there every step of the way.

 

Aaron explained that he sent out around thirty-five headshots to agencies across the Mid-Atlantic Region, “I was going crazy because the website said to wait six to eight weeks before hearing back and it only took them three days to call me.” 

 

He went for his audition in Maryland and he was very nervous to audition for, what he was told, the best agency around. Always there for Aaron, Mrs. Pfeiffer even interrupted her own class to call Aaron on his cell before the audition to have all the students yelled “Good luck, Aaron, we love you!” Aaron said he left feeling more confident than ever, and three days later got a call back to sign a five-year agreement contract.

 

“I put a majority of my trust into my agency, and I fully believe they will get me all the possible rolls that I can hope to book, so I feel that it’s just a matter of time before I’m coming to a theatre near you,” Aaron said. The talent agency receives information on upcoming auditions for rolls in movies, television shows and commercials. If any of the descriptions call for someone with Aaron’s characteristics, they send him the information and he prepares for the audition. He said having an agent saves him a lot of time and hassle.

 

“He is not only a talented young actor, singer, dancer, but an incredible human being,” commented Mrs. Pfeiffer. “If his talent doesn't get him in, his charm certainly will.”