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HEBER CITY — Mia Walker, a blind, 11-year-old actress playing the lead role in a new show, identifies with her character’s refusal to let her physical abilities limit her.
“I love that she just stands up for herself and she’s like ‘I can do this, I’m not useless and I can do it,'” Mia said. “I just love that about the play.”
Mia stars as Miri in the Timpanogos Valley Theater production of “Princess Academy,” opening Feb. 23 at the theater, 90 N. 100 West in Heber City.
The musical is based on the 2005 book of the same name by Utah author Shannon Hale. In the play Miri lives in a mountain town, but she is small for her age and is told she can’t do the heavy lifting in the nearby mines.
Miri and a group of girls from her village attend a princess academy from which the king will choose the kingdom’s next princess. Here, she has the chance to prove that no matter her size, she can overcome any obstacle.
Mia said the character’s determination to thrive despite her physical limitations is something she relates to as a blind actress.
“I really love that this show is about a girl that is physically different from the people around her,” she said.
Mia interacts with set pieces, such as a railing or a window frame, to orient herself on stage. Her fellow actors also function as sighted guides for her during scenes, and she can grab on to another person’s arm as they lead her around the stage. She also uses a cane to guide herself.
Mother-daughter directing team Andrea and Maggie Scott said Mia is hardworking, humble and talented.
“She has lived up to our expectations and exceeded them time and time again,” said Maggie, 16. “She is absolutely phenomenal.”
Neither Maggie nor Andrea had worked with a blind actor before this show. But Maggie said they’ve been able to make small adjustments to make the show work for Mia and the other actors.
“It’s been really cool to learn how to work with somebody who’s visually impaired,” Maggie said. “It’s just been a really cool process.”
The show itself is not what you’d expect, Maggie added. The “Princess Academy” title might lead some to believe the show is a simple Disney-style love story, but it’s not about girls learning “what forks to use and what color they look best in,” she said.
“It’s about girls who learn about what’s within them,” Maggie said. “It’s not a fluffy princess fairy tale — it’s very real.”
Mia is the perfect person to lead a show with that message, Andrea said.
“I’ve teared up watching her throughout this production,” she said. “She’s fabulous. She’s beautiful and talented, but she’s also super humble and hardworking. And those combined make her pretty impressive.”
For Mia, being in the show has given her a chance to have fun with other actors and to sing, which she loves.
She encourages other people with disabilities or limitations to keep trying as hard as they can.
“If anyone underestimates you, then just say ‘I can do it,’” Mia said. “Never give up on something that you want. … Know that you can do a lot of things.”
"Princess Academy" opens Feb. 23 at Timpanogos Valley Theater, 90 N. 100 West in Heber City.
The show plays at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23 and 24 and March 2 and 3, with a 2 p.m. matinee show on March 3.
Tickets are $6 to $12 and are available at the theater box office or at timpvalleytheatre.com.
