Performer travels path to 'Fame'

By JOHN PATRICK GATTA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Thump-da-Thump. THUMP-da-Thump. THUMP-DA-Thump! THUMP-DA-THUMP!
The previous line may be meaningless when read, but it represents one of many rhythms going on during a production of "STOMP," the extravaganza of drumming, dance and comedy that's been entertaining audiences around the world for more than nine years.
Among the eight performers moving about the stage in the North American Tour is Youngstown native Sophia Sharp, daughter of Gary and Debra. She has been part of the troupe for nearly four years.
Local audiences may be aware of Sharp's talent via roles in "Oliver" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Ursuline High School, "West Side Story," "Chicago" and "Canterbury Tales" at Youngstown State University as well as those at Youngstown Playhouse and Oakland Center for the Arts. Sharp received her bachelor of fine arts degree from Youngstown State University in 1993.
Hometown ties
She may now be based in San Francisco but maintains close ties to her hometown. Sharp credits her parents for "being there and guiding me and supporting me," and keeps in contact with Dr. Frank Castronovo from YSU's theatre department
"He's been an unbelievable influence in my life and my career," she said during a phone interview at a tour stop in Sarasota, Fla. "We still keep in contact. I e-mail him periodically, just to let him know what I'm doing, how I'm doing and ask for his advice. I love and respect him."
The creators of "Stomp" -- Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas -- got the idea for the show while the two were in a street band that used trash cans as instruments. A typical performance displays how everyday items such as brooms and pots and pans can become sources of rhythm.
"They look for drummers who can move and dancers who can drum or hold a rhythm. Then, once you get in the show, they teach you the show, give you six weeks of training, break the show down and teach you the part that they want you to learn."
Audition
Sharp came to that realization after she was accepted as a member of "Stomp." She was familiar with the show, but, at the time, approached her audition as just another job. Like any struggling actor, she had paid her dues with a variety of roles from extra work and small roles in film ("Beverly Hills Cop III" and "Junior") and television ("Nash Bridges") as well as commercials and children's theater.
"You get a little disillusioned because you get rejected more than you get accepted. That's the first thing that people don't realize about being an actor or auditioning for things. You get a lot of 'No's' before you get that 'Yes.'
"I had auditioned for 'Rent.' I didn't get it. So, I was in this space where I didn't want to take it seriously. I went not thinking I would get in because I wasn't a drummer. It was like, 'I can dance. So I'll just get up there and I'll dance and I'll have fun at this audition. I won't take it so seriously when they turn me down.' But they didn't turn me down."