The 2012 Livermore Shakespeare Festival is underway, and every year, the show's producers select one local high school student to perform as an intern alongside the play's seasoned cast.
This year it is Tommy Herz, 14, a "Shakes" veteran, who will be a freshman in the fall at , Pleasanton.
"I started performing when I was eight during church," Herz said.
"The pastor was doing a play and asked for volunteers. I came up and I loved doing it. I played an angel," said Herz, who was cast in last year's "Shakes" fest as Fleance in "Macbeth."
In addition to the Livermore festivals, Herz has performed in numerous plays when he was younger, including an original rewrite of "Cinderella," in which he played the princess' best friend —the funny bambini.
"I also performed in various summer camps through San Francisco Shakes, which took place in Pleasanton," he said.
Herz has performed in several teen improv workshops, drama classes with the city of Pleasanton, and recently, as the March Hare in "Alice in Wonderland," through the Pleasanton Civic Arts Stage Company.
In the "Merry Wives of Windsor," at the Livermore festival, Herz plays the character Robin. He is cast as Cornelius in "Hamlet."
Performing in this many plays at only 14 may seem like a lot. But to Herz, performing is something he loves, and he makes it look so simple.
"I'm the youngest in the show. It takes me at least a couple of months to memorize my lines and it's pretty easy," Herz said.
The 2012 Livermore Shakespeare Festival runs through Aug. 12 at , 4590 Tesla Road, Livermore.
The show's directors are Lisa Tromovitch for "Hamlet," and Virginia Reed for "Merry Wives of Windsor."
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the festival website or contact administrative director Katie Marcel at Katie@Livermoreshakes.org.
