Arts, Etc.Theater

Wilson combines acting, experience

LaVelle Wilson, a junior theater major who also runs track at ULV, reveals his love for lions and admits that one day he would like to own a lion cub but fears its territorial nature. "These are my babies," admits Wilson, pointing to one of his favorite framed images of lion cubs. Aside from the picture which he has hanging in his Brandt dorm room, Wilson also wears a silver ring with a parade of lions and a bedspread decorated with a tiger. / photo by Christie Reed
LaVelle Wilson, a junior theater major who also runs track at ULV, reveals his love for lions and admits that one day he would like to own a lion cub but fears its territorial nature. “These are my babies,” admits Wilson, pointing to one of his favorite framed images of lion cubs. Aside from the picture which he has hanging in his Brandt dorm room, Wilson also wears a silver ring with a parade of lions and a bedspread decorated with a tiger. / photo by Christie Reed

by Ryan Allen
Staff Writer

“To be or not to be” is not a question that junior theater major LaVelle Wilson asks himself in concern of his aspirations of pursuing a career in theater.

Wilson, 24, grew up in Los Angeles and Long Beach but did not set his sights on an acting career until high school. During his sophomore year at Paramount High School, Wilson auditioned for a part in what would be his first production called “Teen Santa.”

“People reacted really well. It made me feel good to hear the people laughing,” said Wilson.

It was not until after he enrolled at Cal State Fullerton in 1991 that he really got serious in theater. Wilson’s first big influence came from Tom Blanke, a theater instructor at Fullerton. Blanke encouraged Wilson to not only improve on what he already knew, but to also tackle the serious roles as well. Wilson used the tools he learned and received an award for Best Actor in 1994.

Wilson took a break from his schooling to try his hand at acting in motion pictures.

“It was first assistant director Don Wilkerson who gave me my first break,” said Wilson.

Wilkerson gave Wilson his break in the Martin Lawrence movie “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” where he played a bouncer.

Wilson said, “When I did ‘Thin Line,’ I met a lot of people [like] Tracy Morgan who is currently on Saturday Night Live. He told me a lot about the film industry. He changed my own perspective about actors because he was real down-to-earth.”

After “Thin Line,” Wilson was an extra in “Sprung,” missing a bigger part because the actor who was supposed to play the part showed up 45 minutes before the shoot.

In 1995, Wilson enrolled at Citrus College and coached the women’s basketball team in the fall. In the spring, he ran track and eventually got recruited by the University of La Verne.

After already enrolling at ULV, Wilson approached the head of the Theater Department, Dr. David Flaten.

Flaten asked Wilson if he had a monologue off hand, and thanks to some good advice he received at Fullerton, he did.

After performing his monologue, Wilson received a scholarship, in addition to original financial aid package.

Wilson said, “I was already coming for track and then I got this scholarship. I thought ‘this is cool.'”

Along with theater, track and his regular class load, Wilson also writes poetry and belongs to a hip hop group, “Cloud Nyne,” who are in the process of making a demo reel.

This group consists of four members, two of whom, including Wilson, are featured artists.

“In our group we discuss the trials and tribulations of life in general. We sometimes sit down and read the Bible. We always read the Proverbs and then discuss what we read,” said Wilson.

Wilson’s nickname in the group comes from Shakespeare and happens to be Stichomythia, which means “verbal sword play.”

When Wilson loses focus, he knows he can turn to God, his group, and more importantly his aunt, Jessie Jones.

“When I was going through some adolescent problems she [Aunt Jessie] took me in,” said Wilson. “She became my family, my mother, brother, everything. When my confidence wasn’t there, she was there to talk to me and turn me around.”

Wilson also admires a few actors who are on the big screen.

“Believe it or not, I give all props to Denzel Washington and Al Pacino,” said Wilson. “I will never forget when Denzel said ‘If you can do Shakespeare, and do it well, you can do anything’.”

Being a student athlete is not what is really important to Wilson. He wants to contribute to theater in any way he can in whatever way he can.

Wilson was in his first ULV play, “Line,” two weeks ago and hopes to be in another La Verne production by the January Interterm.

“I am an athlete, but I don’t want to be remembered as an athlete,” said Wilson. “I want to be remembered for my work on the stage because that is what I want to do.”

Ryan Allen
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Christie Reed
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