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St. Petersburg Girl Gets Acting Role Of A Lifetime

News Channel 8 photo by PETER BERNARD

Amanda Poyot, 12, was picked for a part in the Broadway production "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy."

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By PETER BERNARD

News Channel 8

Published: February 3, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - Twelve-year-old Amanda Poyot has been singing since she could talk.

Tonight the middle schooler hit the highest note in her budding career, singing the part of Lady Bug in the Broadway production of "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" at the Mahaffey Theater.

The show features performers swinging from the ceiling, jumping rope, and contorting their bodies to a thumping original musical score. Amanda's role comes after intermission.

The John Hopkins Middle School student was picked for the part in an audition at the St. Petersburg Farmers Market. "I was hoping that they'd pick me, and I was excited when they did," Amanda said.

She only had about a week to practice her part at the theater company's headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, and got some on-the-road rehearsals going back and forth to South Florida in the family car with her iPod earbuds pushed in.

"I know I want to go to college and maybe add some musical theater, Broadway into that," Amanda said.

Amanda's role will end this weekend; show organizers may find another Lady Bug at their next stop, but the teen will always remember this performance as her introduction to the bigtime.

The show runs through Sunday at the Mahaffey Theater.

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