Living
Local actor, writer, comedian showcases talent for AMTC
Monday, 18 February 2013 by Elissa Thompson
Ray performed at Belton Market Day over the summer, providing laughs to those walking by.An actor, comedian, writer and director, Garrett Ray is training to compete and appear before talent scouts and agents in Orlando this July.
Ray, a 17-year-old from Belton, is a local actor who got his start four years ago at the Salado Silver Spur Theater.
He told his mom that he wanted to try acting, so she suggested he call all the local theaters to see if they had any auditions.
Ray called every theater and was unable to find an audition, until he called the Salado Silver Spur. He went in for an audition and came out with a role.
"I felt that was God's way of saying 'This is what I want you to do,'" Ray said.
He has been performing there ever since. Ray has also performed in Belton High School's production of "Is He Dead?" in which he played the lead.
Acting and comedy are his passions so this coming weekend, The Salado Silver Spur is hosting a fundraising event to help raise money for Ray to travel to Orlando.
Ray hopes to head to Orlando to be able to show off his talent for many top studios including 20th Century Fox, among others.Ray is playing two different roles in the scripts he wrote for this coming weekend's performance. He wants to show that's he's versatile and willing to work.
"The reason I wanted to do it and the reason I joined AMTC because that's their big deal is to be a light in the darkness to go and shine. My goal is not only to have a career that I can support myself and a family with eventually, but also so that I can bring others to Christ through it," Ray said.
AMTC, also known as Actors, Models and Talents for Christ, is an international movement dedicated to making good bolder in film, fashion, music, and theater. The program offers training and an opportunity for young people to showcase their talent in front of agents and casting directors from like of 20th Century Fox, Tyler Perry Studios and others in Orlando, for the purpose of shining God's light in a dark industry.
Through AMTC, Ray is training and preparing in acting, commercial modeling and stand-up for the SHINE convention where they perform their talents for judges who are from some of the top studios, modeling and casting agencies.
This coming weekends performance is a variety show with four comedians all doing stand-up. Some cinematic and dramatic scenes will be presented as well, to showcase Ray's talent.
For the future, Ray hopes to find himself in Hollywood since he likes the big-scale of things. One of the actors that stands out to him is Russell Crowe.
"He has that commanding presence, but he can also shrink back into himself and be just a man. That's a quality that I look up to."
The event this weekend is family-friendly and Ray hopes many will attend to help support his endeavor.
"Any investment made in me is for a good cause and I want to be able to provide entertainment for people."
The performances will be Feb. 8-10. Friday and Saturday performances will be at 7:30 p.m., while the Sunday performance is at 5:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 each by calling 254-947-3456 or at www.saladosilverspur.com.
