By KRISTIN HOGANS

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Alethea Shelton, 21, and Dwight Williams, 20, have made their debut on the big screen, but it’s the small stage that keeps them most busy.

Shelton and Williams both appeared in a vampire movie titled “Rise Again,” filmed in Natchez recently, and Williams also served as a production assistant.

Before the big screen, though, both Shelton and Williams started their rise to fame at the Natchez Little Theatre.

Williams has been at NLT for seven years and has appeared in more than 40 productions. Shelton relocated to Natchez from New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck. She found out about the NLT and has performed on its stage for nearly five years, appearing in approximately 20 productions. She now resides in Vidalia.

Shelton said she always had a passion for theater. When she was younger, she would re-enact everything she saw, whether real life or television, she said.

Williams said he also had a niche for acting since he was a small child. Williams said he even had a list of all his favorite actors when he was 6 years old.

Shelton and Williams said anything and everything inspires them. Williams said nothing is original anymore, so he picks apart different aspects of what other actors have done to create his own persona.

“Anyone I’ve crossed paths with — people, animals, even a tree — inspires me,” Shelton said.

Executive and Artistic Director Layne Taylor said Shelton and Williams have the drive, determination and dedication to go far.

“They have unique qualities and will be a success in any profession,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the two performers have never missed a rehearsal and they always come early and ready to work, even when they are sick.

Taylor said both are willing to take any role without complaining and will make the best out of the role.

Taylor said he loves their ability to abandon themselves to a role and trust their director.

Williams said theater is nothing like film. In theater something can go wrong and someone can back you up.

Williams and Shelton love the feeling of something possibly going wrong, knowing that anything can happen. It keeps them alert and on their toes, they said.

Williams said in the theater he hates when people come with egos.

“Some people get out of hand, thinking they are better than everyone,” Williams said.

Shelton agreed, but said the biggest annoyance for her is unprepared actors who are not dedicated to the theater.

“When people come and play around and are not being serious it gets on my nerves,” Shelton said.

Shelton and Williams said if anyone loves something that person should go for it.

“Do what you love. Find what you love, and follow it,” Williams said.

“Never let someone tell you, ‘you can’t’. Do it and prove them wrong, especially if you love it,” Shelton said.

Williams and Shelton are nominated for awards at the ninth annual Standing Ovation Awards, this Saturday.

Shelton is nominated for the Dawn Taylor Memorial Scholarship, best cameo actress in a play and best cameo actress in a musical.

Williams is nominated for best supporting actor in a play and best cameo actor in a musical.

In previous years, Williams has won four Standing Ovation awards and Shelton has won three.

Williams is currently enrolled at Copiah-Lincoln Community College majoring in psychology and theater.

Shelton will be returning to her home state soon, attending the University of New Orleans studying theater and music while also dancing with the Laffite’s Treasurers Dance Team.

Williams will be hitting the stage again in August playing the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland.”

Shelton said NLT is on pause right now for school, but ensured she will be back in the future.

Williams is the son of Janice Adams and Shelton is the daughter of Yolanda Stewart.