Special needs youth takes starring role
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

SOME SPIDER- Tori Maddis, a fifth grader at Willow Elementary School, prepares for her role as Charlotte the spider in "Charlotte's Web" at the Stage Door Theatre. Tori has Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers

When "Charlotte's Web" opens at the Stage Door Theatre on May 18, 11-year-old Tori Maddis will step onstage in her first starring role. The Agoura Hills girl is playing Charlotte, the caring barn spider who befriends Wilbur the pig.

For Tori, this role is important as she has pervasive developmental disorder, a neurological disorder on the autism spectrum which results in delayed development of socialization and communication skills.

A fifthgrader at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills, Tori struggles with learning disabilities, including short-term memory, processing and finemotor skill issues, said her mother, Barbara Maddis. Onstage, Tori is confident and successful, Maddis added.

"In drama there's not a lot of pressure for her to compete with other kids like at school, so she's happy, not stressed out," Maddis said.

Although the role of Charlotte is a challenging one, Tori quickly memorized all 40 lines, said Maddis, who made her daughter's spider costume for the show.

Tori discovered a love for acting while in preschool when she first performed some songs with her class. She has been in many shows since, including three years' worth of productions at Stage Door through the Agoura Children's Theatre program. Her recent roles have included Mrs. Gloop in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and Lisa in "Frosty the Snowman."

"I get to be a different person for a day when I'm acting," Tori said.

Fifteen children ages 6 to 13 will appear in "Charlotte's Web." The cast members have made their own costumes as well as the set decorations, said Susan Elton, co-director of Agoura Children's Theatre with Ellen Marano.

"I think Tori's doing a great job," Elton said. "We want the children to all feel important and strengthen their self-esteem."

Tori also works as an extra in films. She just completed work on "Nowhere Land," starring Eddie Murphy. The filming took place at fo-fo Figgily's, an indoor children's play center in Oak Park. Although the extras were warned not to speak to Murphy, Tori went up to him and exchanged hellos. During extra work on "Blades of Glory," Tory met actor Will Ferrell.

"She hugged him, and he was very nice to her," Maddis said.

In "Blades" Tori appears in a courtroom scene standing near the front of the courtroom near the main characters.

"People come up to her and say 'I saw you in "Blades of Glory,"'" said Maddis.

Tori would like her mother to find her an agent so that she can pursue her passion, but her acting teacher has advised waiting until Tori's braces come off, Maddis said.

"I think we will see Tori's name in lights someday," Maddis said.