By Cain Madden

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — During one of the first 2015 performances of “A Natchez Christmas Carol” at Natchez Little Theatre, 9-year-old Maggie Waddill learned she was going to be performing in front of her Trinity classmates, and worse, the high school class was coming later.

Before walking on stage, all Maggie said she could think about was tripping, falling and embarrassing herself in front of her classmates. Those thoughts changed when she actually got in front of the lights, she said.

“I just go out on stage, and I’m not nervous anymore,” she said. “I just breathe and go.”

Maggie is fresh off performing in the recent production “Big River” and in that she was able to act with her mother, Myla. Though it was for the third time, so they are used to working together.

“She learned my lines before I did,” Myla said with a laugh. “That way she can tell me when I mess up.”

“I learn everyone’s lines,” Maggie admitted.

That fast learning comes in handy, though, because the toughest thing about being in a Natchez Little Theatre performance is the scheduling. As the show’s premier gets closer, actors are often there from 6 to 10 p.m. rehearsing.

“I try to do all of my homework before going to the theater,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t finish.”

Though she has no plans to be in a play again until perhaps the summer workshop, Maggie’s teacher Caitlan Dayton said she’d be on stage this Thursday in the school’s spelling bee.

“I’m nervous,” Maggie admitted. “I’m scared I will mess up and get out of the bee early by not spelling something right.”

Dayton said she was not surprised to see Maggie on stage.

“She is very smart, and outgoing and friendly,” she said. “She’s very talkative.”

Maggie loves going to school at Trinity.

“I like learning and being with my friends and I love Mrs. Dayton,” she said. “My favorite subjects are probably science or reading.”

Myla said she was also tested for the Duke University TIP, a talent search program typically for middle school students that allows for them to take the ACT or SAT.

As for what she wants to do when she grows up, Myla said that changes every week.

“It’s been doctor, pilot, chef, teacher and vet,” she said.

Maggie continued, “It’ll probably be teacher.”

Outside of school, Maggie likes to spend time with her seven cats. And yes, she does know all of their names.

“Some of them are outside cats, and some are inside,” she said. “I like to play outside with them.”

She’s also an entrepreneur, selling juice and walking her neighbors’ dogs.

“I like playing Minecraft and watching videos on YouTube,” Maggie said about her hobbies. “And hanging out with my friends.”

Her father, Jim, is supportive of Maggie spending time at the theater.

“I think it is great,” he said. “She really enjoys it. It gives her something positive to do with her mother.”