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| Anora Bitts, with Virginia Olivieri photo by Wade Moran |
Anora Biggs is just like any other 10-year-old. She attends school, she’s in 5th grade, and she’s playing a homicidal child in Desert Stages production of The Bad Seed.
Oh wait, is that abnormal?
The Bad Seed is a play which features a deeply violent and awful child, and her mother who struggles to deal with and understand why her daughter is the way she is.
The Bad Seed has been through many incarnations, from the original play to two movies. The play itself, was critically acclaimed, and was even shortlisted for a Pulitzer Prize, by its namesake’s grandson, Joseph Pulitzer Jr. himself.
Now, Scottsdale Desert Stages is bringing all of the toil, horror, and drama of the play to Phoenix, just in time for Halloween.
Between school and rehearsals, Biggs is undeniably busy, but she found some time to talk with me about the show and her character. Despite the dark role, she was nothing but a delight to speak with.
For someone who isn't aware of The Bad Seed what would you tell them it's about?
“It’s about a little girl who is sweet and innocent on the outside but on the inside she’s definitely a sociopath and she is definitely evil and she gets what she wants.”
You play Rhoda, the lead character who is revealed to be awful and violent later on in the story. How did you prepare to play such a dark role?
“I watched the original film with Patty McCormack, and I also watched the lifetime channel remake and I watched a youtube video with a bunch of kids doing Rhoda and they kind of inspired me.
I imagine that Rhoda is a bit different from you, personality and mentality wise. How do you get into character?
“I don’t really do anything to get into character, I kind of just step on stage and I do it. She’s a lot more aggressive and a lot more like, ‘oh, I didn’t do this’ and usually she gets what she wants and that’s why she kills, and she kills a lot of people.”
When you aren't playing a homicidal child, you are going to school every day just like most kids. How do you balance school work and rehearsals?
“My rehearsals start at about 7 o’clock so I have time to do [the show]. But sometimes, if I’m really tired, when rehearsal goes late, sometimes my mom will pull me out a little early.”
What types of roles have you played before?
“I’ve played Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web, Iago in Aladdin, Horace in 101 Dalmatians, Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh and recently I was in Annie and I played Duffy. Rhoda is my favorite though. She’s much different from the other roles. I usually play comedic roles, or sometimes I’ll play serious roles but she’s kind of like the bad guy in this case.”
Is this your first show that also features adults? If so, what's it been like working with a cast of adults?
“It’s definitely more fun, in my opinion. It’s really funny because they always crack jokes and they always mess around. They always kind of get into it more than children do, so that makes me get into it.”
What has been your favorite part of playing Rhoda?
“I get to be evil. I love the Leroy scenes because that’s where you see her true side and what she’s doing to all these people.”
What has been your favorite part of The Bad Seed?
“Working with my director, and the adults and Kendyl the stage manager.”
CLICK HERE for more information on The Bad Seed, which runs through November 18th
Great interview-I know you’ll do well in the part!
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