ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Three Rochester City School District students are stepping into the spotlight this December. They’re part of the cast of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Geva Theater downtown Rochester.

Seventh grader Thomas McMillon started acting in shows at Roberto Clemente School No. 8 a few years ago and caught the theater bug. 

“The first show T did was The Lion King, I had no idea what theater was but I got into it after,” McMillon explained. 

COVID-19 canceled his school productions the last two years, but McMillon is returning to the stage in a big way. 

“When I auditioned I didn’t think I would get the role,” McMillon said. "When I got it, I screamed.”

It's an opportunity his teachers say he's more than ready for. 

“Thomas is a student who just loves theater,” McMillon's theater teacher Brenda Richey said. "We got permission to let him start in fourth grade because we just saw his talent and enthusiasm towards it.”

Even though he’s just getting started, McMillon is already thinking about a career in the arts. It’s something his family supports, even if they don’t know how he does it.

“My grandma says it takes guts to be on that stage and it does,” he said. "I try to just treat it as a rehearsal so I don’t get nervous.”

'A Christmas Carol' runs at Geva until Dec. 24. 

Proof of either COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test will be required for all guests and staff, along with masking. 

Tickets are available on the Geva Theater's website.