FLORIDA TODAY
FIVE THINGS
Stage roles hone valuable life skills
By Christina LaFortune
FLORIDA TODAY
I
was 10 when I discovered
theater.
A shy, quiet fifth-grade
girl, I was intimidated but
intrigued when my teacher
announced auditions for the
class play, The Mysterious
Fox of Fox Hollow. No one
expected me to try out, but I
felt compelled to give it a try.
At the after-school audi-
tions, I walked into the class-
room trembling, took the mim-
eographed purple-printed page
of dialogue, and ventured to
the front of the room. And then
I started speaking, and I killed
it.
I dont know where it came
from. But in reading the Foxs
lines, I discovered something
in myself that had been dor-
mant. All of a sudden, I was
outgoing and funny, and I loved
it. Imagine everyones surprise
when the shy girl who never
opened her mouth got cast in
the title role. I knew what I
wanted to do for the rest of my
life.
The impact of that experi-
ence was long-lasting and life-
changing. I discovered a love
of performing that is just as
passionate today. As a young
person, I was excited to be a
part of a fun and engaging
activity. As an adult, I continue
to find fulfillment with a cre-
ative outlet and a community
of talented, imaginative
friends.
And although I wouldnt
have considered it in my youth,
my experience in the arts has
provided me with a wealth of
life skills that I use daily.
HAVE YOU TRIED
Grouper Oscar in spotlight at DeAngelos
PHOTO BY CHRIS KRIDLER, FOR FLORIDA TODAYCHRIS KRIDLER/FOR FLORIDA TODAY
A menu special at DeAngelo's by the Sea in Melbourne Beach is grouper
Oscar (with crab meat) topped with hollandaise sauce, ratatouille in a
yellow squash boat, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and shrimp.
2XU SHUE
6X YHQWK
6H
$WODQWLF 0XVLF &HQWHU  &RQFHUW 6HDVRQ
MfFKfEH '4'/; +5-+0& j#<<k
'4(14/+0) # '0'(+6 10%'46 9f *#/2#)0' 4'%'26+10
EEfEIfEH
.. 241%''&5 5722146 6*' /'4+%#0 #<< +#0+56 1/2'6+6+10
+%*'..' #+.*16 n
4+'0&5 j6#0&#4&5k
EfEKfEI *' '4.+0) 4+1 j.#55+%#.k
EfGEfEI /'4+%#0 #<< +#0+56 1/2'6+6+10 +00'4 j#<<k
FfFNfEI 6'8'0 +0 j.#55+%#.k
GfFEfEI #4%1 4+'%1 j.#55+%#.k
In 1983, Christina LaFortune, then Christina Adams, played the title role in The Mysterious Fox of Fox Hollow, her
fifth-grade class play.
1. I have a voice. As an intro-
vert, taking that first step to
try acting was terrifying and
momentous. Normally quiet
and introspective, the real-
ization that I could take on the
personality of a character
different from myself opened
endless possibilities. I found I
could engage with the world in
new ways. I could use my oral
communication skills to make
people laugh, take them on a
10 a.m. 2 p.m.
cathartic journey, or persuade
them to a different point of
view. The resulting boost of
confidence was empowering.
2. Everyones contribution is
important. In a theatrical pro-
duction, everyone matters. The
show cant go on without lights,
costumes or ticket sales. The
person who builds the sets
plays just as important a role
as the person who plays the
By Maria Sonnenberg
For FLORIDA TODAY
T
he experience of dining at
DeAngelos by the Sea
begins with traveling
down State Road A1A through
Melbourne Beach. The pleas-
ant ride is a reminder of times
past, when traffic was light
and there were still plenty of
open spaces beachside.
Dining at DeAngelos is also
a pleasant reminder of the
past, of neighborhood Italian
restaurants that offered a
surprising variety of delec-
table entrees.
Tucked next to the classic
mom-and-pop motel known as
the SurfCaster, DeAngelos
offers dining options inside
and out, the latter taking ad-
vantage of the seaside view.
One of the restaurants most
special specials is Chef
Charles Ludwigs Grouper
Oscar, three medallions of
pan-seared grouper layered
with shrimp and crab meat and
crowned with a hollandaise
sauce ($24.95).
Though not on the regular
menu, the Oscar is often
among the weekend seafood
specials. If youre visiting
DeAngelos on a weekday, no
problem, since you can call
ahead and Ludwig will get the
dish ready for you.
th
anniversary
celebration
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014
Join us as we celebrate 5 years, tour the facility and
learn how we can help your family!
Pre-screenings in which experts can answer your
questions in the areas of:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTINA LAFORTUNE
on a pirate ship in a raging
lead. This emphasis on collabo-
ration and teamwork trans-
lates directly to everyday life.
Communities thrive on people
who work together for the
success of a shared goal.
3. Commitment and follow-
through. Participating in a
performance means commit-
ting to a rehearsal and produc-
tion schedule for weeks, or
even months. Learning to ded-
Because this is a restaurant
by the beach, it is not surpris-
ing that seafood takes pride of
place at DeAngelos, with en-
trees such as lobster shrimp
scampi, also $24.95, and an
impressive dish that includes a
whole 1-pound Maine lobster,
paired with four big shrimp, all
tossed in a white garlic lemon
sauce with diced tomatoes and
basil. Take your pick of pasta
or veggie du jour to complete
the deal.
That staple of Italian restau-
rants, linguine and clams, gets
the DeAngelos treatment, too.
The $15.95 entre features a
bakers dozen of whole clams,
plus sauce with onions, garlic
and plenty of chopped clams.
For a change of pace, con-
sider the chicken scarpiello
($15.95), boneless chicken
breast meat cut into medal-
lions and partnered with Ital-
ian sweet peppers, cherry
peppers, onions, mushrooms
and spices, all in a pinot grigio
sauce.
We can serve it mild or hot,
your choice, said Ludwig.
Also $15.95 is the Rigatoni
Bolognese, homemade sauce
that includes onions, garlic,
red wine, ground beef and pork
with San Marzano tomatoes.
For lovers of red meat, the
veal saltimbocca ($18.95)
proves a good choice. The veal
11E
icate yourself to something
creative helps foster a sense of
accomplishment. Following
through on a commitment is a
first step toward developing a
strong work ethic. And when it
is a labor of love, it doesnt feel
like work.
4. Receiving constructive
criticism. Being part of a col-
laborative creative process
means receiving feedback. It
is a part of learning and build-
ing, a tool for improvement.
People who learn to accept
critiques and incorporate
positive changes without tak-
ing offense have a valuable
life skill. In a theatrical per-
formance, the feedback from
the audience is instantaneous
and almost always positive
and appreciative.
5. Creative problem-solving.
How do we create the illusion
that were jumping from a
speeding train? How do we
engineer this dagger to make
it appear that Ive been
stabbed on stage? How do we
make people believe we are
storm using only strips of
fabric and rope? Being able to
think outside of the box is a
skill honed in a theater pro-
duction. Beyond that, creative
thinkers are valuable assets
to employers and the commu-
nity.
Look for LaFortune in Mel-
bourne Civic Theatres produc-
tion of Ken Ludwigs The
Games Afoot or Holmes for the
Holidays, opening Oct. 10.
Email LaFortune at clafortune@floridato-
day.com Twitter: @lafortunec
HAVE YOU TRIED
What: Grouper Oscar
Where: DeAngelos by the
Sea, 5935 S. SR A1A, Mel-
bourne Beach
How much: $24.95
Info: 321-723-0383 or
deangelosbythesea.com
medallions are lightly floured,
sauted and topped with Pro-
sciutto de Parma, fresh mozza-
rella and served over a bed of
spinach with a pinot grigio,
sage and butter sauce.
Commence dinner with a
hot antipasto for two ($14.95),
which includes stuffed mush-
rooms, eggplant rollatini, mus-
sels marinara, shrimp scampi
and clams casino.
Its enough for sharing
even with a table for four,
said Ludwig.
Mussel maniacs will delight
in the posillipo, marinara or
fra diavolo versions at $9.95
for a pound of the scrumptious
bivalves.
Finish off the meal with a
traditional cannoli or tiramisu,
or perhaps a white chocolate
raspberry Key lime cheese-
cake ($5.95).
Maria Sonnenberg is a freelance writer
based in Melbourne.
 &UDIWV
 )RRG
 %RXQFH+RXVH
HfENfEI '.$1740' +)* #<< #0& j#<<k Feeding  (QWHUWRZLQ
('#6T +05610 %166X #%%1/2.+5*'& 647/2'6'4 g #0& (14/'4 #56410#76 g
Behavior problems a free diagnostic
2'4(14/+0) 9+6* 6*' 567&'065 61 4#+5' (70&5 (14 6*' 5%*11.5 $#0& 241)4#/ evaluation! ($500 value)
Social skills

14 6+%-'65 n +0(14/#6+10 %#.. jGFEk KJLgFFFE
FI  +%-*#/ & '.$1740' GFMNH Childhood mood and behavioral concerns )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQ
)7

999T6.#06+%75+%'06'4T%1/ Screening for FLP sexual abuse treatment (321) 674-8106 or www.thescottcenter.org
PY-511-714