Hopelessly devoted to acting

For the second time, 17-year-old Kristina Clark of Costa Mesa and 14-year-old Hailey Tweter of Newport Coast are vying for the attention of one man.

This time around, that man is the handsome and greasy Danny Zuko, and the two Orange County High School of the Arts students are starring opposite one another in the Musical Theatre Academy’s production of “Grease,” opening tomorrow.

Kristina, who has been with the theater group for 12 years, and Hailey, now in her fourth year, both have a flair for the dramatic. Just last year they were playing Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, respectively, in the academy’s production of “Chicago,” and both dream of acting careers.

“I like having that live, anything-can-happen feeling from the audience,” Kristina said. “It’s so exciting performing in front of people in that one moment.”

“I love the applause you get in the theater,” Hailey added, “but with film, you can do the small acting and really get into the character without having to exaggerate everything.”

Established in 1994, the Musical Theatre Academy aims to help children ages 4 and up develop their talent and confidence through professional training and performance in musical theater arts, presenting four shows each year.

Though the group is nonprofit, its volunteer staff doesn’t skimp on the details. The back rooms of its Newport Beach studio are teeming with costumes from all eras, wigs of every style and color and props galore, including the frame of a 1950s convertible.

Furthermore, it is tuition-based, as opposed to audition only, which guarantees a role for all participants regardless of experience and offers scholarships for low-income families.

“We teach the rudiments of theater from the music to dancing to acting to sets; they get a total picture of what theater is,” said board member Ruth Gottuso, Kristina’s grandmother. “Over the 11 years that I’ve been here, I have seen the kids build a community and learn to be confident and succeed.”

Gavin Juarez, the 18-year-old Balboa Island resident who stars as Danny, always thought acting would be a secondary ambition behind baseball. But after four years with the academy, he is confident that he will find a place for himself in Hollywood.

“Ever since I saw [‘Grease’], I wanted to do the musical so bad, so having this role is really exciting,” he said. “I’m looking forward to trying to show up John Travolta.”

The young players agreed that their experience with the organization, particularly with Artistic Director Jimmy Hippenstiel, leaves them well-equipped to enter the highly competitive, often ruthless drama world.

Kristina and Hailey are already accustomed to the hectic schedule, as they’ve also been rehearsing for the group’s upcoming production of “Nunsense,” which will open Sunday.

“Jimmy treats us like professionals, so I think we are going into it more prepared that others,” Kristina said. “If you want to do this for a living, you need to know how to conduct yourself.”

“And you have to have a hard shell,” Hailey said. “A lot of times you won’t get a role because your hair isn’t right or you don’t have the right body type or you’re an inch too short to be in a kick line, but you have to brush it off and keep trying.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County presents “Grease”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. June 29, 2 and 7:30 p.m. June 30

WHERE: Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster; for directions, visit www.rosecentertheater.com

COST: $15 general admission, $13.50 for seniors and children

INFO: For information on the upcoming production or program enrollment, go to www.mtaoc.org or call (949) 955-3737.