RLHS student to perform in B’Ham

Published 11:09 pm Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Ivy Griggs smiles before she starts her first day of drama camp in Birmingham.                                        Courtesy photo

Ivy Griggs smiles before she starts her first day of drama camp in Birmingham. Courtesy photo

Audrey Hepburn, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Jodie Foster, Shirley MacLaine, Susan Sarandon, Jane Fonda, Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Taylor, Halle Berry, Rachel McAdams – Red Level High School freshman Ivy Griggs hopes to join their ranks to become an influential actress.

Griggs is spending three weeks in Birmingham taking part in a drama camp, where they will end with a performance of “Xanadu Jr.”

The play is inspired by the Tony-award-nominated Broadway musical staring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.

It follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif.

Griggs said she’s super excited about the three weeks.

She landed a role as an Andrew’s sister and her part includes a large musical number.

“I talked to the director and found out that usually your first year of camp you don’t get a part,” she said.

But Griggs has been involved in the drama club at Red Level since the seventh grade and has participated in several performances.

She said they have been doing auditions and call backs this week in the mornings and in the afternoon doing dance and music class.

Griggs said she got involved in drama club after hearing people talk about it.

“I have always wanted to be one of those big people who stars in plays and movies,” she said. “That’s what I would like to do.”

She said she hopes to one day be a big-time movie star.

The play will be held July 29 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Center.

She is the daughter of Anthony Griggs and Melissa Tillman.