THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503170147
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
This is the week that Aisha McCollum's friends walk on eggshells around her.
That's because Aisha, a theater arts major at Old Dominion University, is in her ``Diva'' mode.
Aisha, 20, is playing Diva, the evil queen of inner space, in the Hurrah Players production of ``Starmites,'' currently being performed at the Virginia Beach Pavilion.
``I'm mean,'' said Aisha, describing her character. ``I'm very mean. It's funny because I have to get mentally prepared for this role. I'm trying to get into that frame of mind,'' she said.
When Aisha is in her ``Diva'' mode, she has a tendency to snap.
``It's not like I'm trying to be mean, but I'm trying to get into that character . . . and sometimes I have to prepare myself early!'' she said.
``Starmites'' opened Friday and will be presented again at 3 p.m. today, at 7 p.m. Friday, at 3 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Nominated for four Tony awards, ``Starmites'' is a musical about a girl who dreams of being a comic-book hero and wakes up to find herself in a comic-book galaxy. There she joins a rock 'n' roll band and falls in love with the leader. The evil Diva tries to break up the young lovers' relationship.
``The music in this show is unbelievable,'' Aisha said. ``The show is very `up.' It's very energetic.''
Aisha should know. This is the second time the aspiring actress/singer has played this part.
``The Hurrah Players did the show five years ago, and I played this same part when I was 15,'' she said. ``Now that I'm 20, everyone wants to see how different it is, how much I've matured. I've done a lot of growing in the last five years, so I think it'll be good.''
Playing the part of Diva has been challenging, said Aisha, a 1993 graduate of I.C. Norcom High School.
``It's very demanding. When Diva comes on, she comes out of a serpent's mouth,'' Aisha said. ``Diva has a lot of energy. My energy level always has to be up to do this show,'' she said.
Aisha has been with the Hurrah Players for about 12 years. In her first performance at age 8, she played a leading role.
``I've always been outgoing, even as a child. I started singing in church when I was 2,'' she said.
Her greatest inspiration, Aisha said, has been Whitney Houston.
``I've been in love with her voice ever since I could say `Whitney Houston.' You know her AT&T commercials? I go to tears,'' Aisha conceded.
If Aisha ever had the chance to spend the day with Houston, she knows exactly how she'd spend it.
``I would like to do everything she does in the course of a day,'' she said. ``Starting with whatever time she got up in the morning, going to rehearsals, going to the studio, all the way through the performance because that's what I plan on doing.''
A sophomore, Aisha is not only majoring in theater, but minoring in voice.
``I've always had this vision of myself playing this role on Broadway, then eventually going into the studio and making an album,'' Aisha said.
``For a little while, I saw myself making the album first, but now that I'm getting back into my theater mode, I don't know what will come first.''
Name: Aisha Renee McCollum
Nickname: None
Neighborhood: Cavalier Manor (Lake Forest section)
Number of years in Portsmouth: 18
Birthplace: Raleigh, N.C.
Birthdate: Jan. 7, 1975
School and grade: Second-year student, Old Dominion University; theater arts major, voice minor
Parents: Carolyn and William McCollum
Siblings: 12-year-old brother in the sixth grade at Waters Middle School
Occupation: Student assistant, Old Dominion University's African-American Cultural Center
What other job than your own would you like? Performing on Broadway or on a concert tour
Marital status: Single
Children: None
Fondest childhood memory: Singing in church and performing with the Hurrah Players
First concert: Second-grade at Lakeview Elementary School
What song or book title best describes your life? Whitney Houston's rendition of ``The Greatest Love of All''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A house for my parents
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Whitney Houston because that is what I want to do in life, and I would want to know what it is like.
Biggest accomplishment: Whenever I sing and I see people crying, I feel it is a big accomplishment.
Most embarrassing moment: None
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be able to manage time better
Perfect way to spend the day: Relaxing with friends
I can't resist: Music
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Jimmy's Spaghetti & Steak House
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Educational system
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
A new I.C. Norcom High School
Better programs in the arts and humanities (music, art, etc.)
More African-American teachers
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Being near family and friends ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
KEYWORDS: INTERVIEW PROFILE
by CNB