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12 -- TheKincardine News-- C Tuesday, September 4, 2012 Kincardine's former 'drummer boy' building acting career He is also excited about attending the movie's red carpet premier at TIFF on September 9. How-- ever, while Hollywood heavy hitters such as Tom Hanks and Robert De Niro are ex}{)ected to be amongst this year's attendees Stewart does not mention them when asked if there is someone he hopes to see during the festival. w The warden from \ils=" B More recently, L Declare War was honoured as a selection for the Toronto International Film Festi-- Frequently seeing comparisons to Stan By Me and Lord of The Rings the movie has been receiving much critical acclaim. Kolton Stewart to have leading role in 'I Declare War' film From Page 12 In April the film was featured during the Indie Spirit Film Festival and received a special jury award. "It's a chance for some-- one to maybe see it and for it to be picked up for distribution." val {TIFF). Stewart is excited about the film's inclusion DWL/ Stewart said he would like to keep on acting, but even at the age of 13 he realizes that roles as a child actor are fleeting, When questioned about who has inspired him in life, again, it's not a big name celeb-- rity or sports figure. "Norm Dunsmoor, Craig Colquhoun, Tyler Fry, the people I played with in Penetangore," Stew-- art said, without miss-- ing a beat. "They're the ones who got me started in drumming and drum-- ming got me started in acting. Oh, and for sure my mom." "I know in a few years it will be harder for me He then goes on to talk about Kincardine and how it is still like home to him. Stewart still has fam-- ily in town and he and his mother try to visit five or six times a year when his schedule permits. The answer isn't sur-- prising coming from the down to earth young The Lonfiest Yard (James Cromuwell), that's who I'd really like to see," said Stewart. to get work. I'll %e too old for kid parts, but not old enough for adult roles. Hopefully I can get a part in something that is going to go on for a long time. Then I will be a--better known actor." Stewart hopes he may have found that role. He has been film-- ing anew t_el- evision series about young dancers called The Next Step slated to air on Family Channel in the spring. "Ya, to go back to The Lion Kinfg as big Simba, that would be my dream role!" and his face lit up with that infectious smile, While most of his work lately has been on the screen, Stewart longs to return to the stage. Does he see a return someday to The Lion King? -- Although never officially a member of the band, Stewart started march-- ing with the Kincardine Scottish at the age of four. When he was six he joined Penetangore Pipe Band, the competition Eand also based in Kincardine. While it's been a number of years since playing with the band on a regular basis, Stewart tries to don his kilt at least once every summer. Stewart and his mother Lori moved away from town shortly after, but made the drive back every week so he could keep drumming with Penetan-- gore. Eventually Stewart Tracey Hinchberger Kincardine News Freelance As the pipers and drum-- mers marched their way down Queen Street dur-- ing the recent Kincardine Scottish's Gathering of The Bands, residents may have noticed a young familiar face amongst the snare drums. With his mop of curly hair and infectious smile 13--year--old Kolton Stewart is remembered by many as Kincardine's "little drum-- mer boy." . ¢ After his work in Strat-- ford, Stewart decided to pursue acting further. His mother found him an agent and he began audi-- tioning for jobs. _ left to join the Hamilton Police Pipe Band. While he continues to play occasionally, Stew-- art's hobby has led him to turn his attention in a new direction, with an excit-- ing new career as a young actor. The next summer Stew-- art returned to Stratford with a small role in Mac-- beth and as a soloist in West Side Story. Stewart's big break came in 2010 when he won the principal role of young Simba in the touring pro-- duction of the Disney musical 'The Lion King.' He was the first Canadian ever cast in the role. "It started in 2008," said Stewart. "I auditioned for the Stratford Festival's pro-- duction of The Music Man as a drummer. I got the part and learned about acting and dancing dur-- ing the show. I went in as a drummer and came out an actor." Shortly after, Stew-- His mother also speaks very fondly of it. Unfortunately Stewart's contract with The Lion King was only for eight months. The character of young Simba has strict size requirements and he art headed to California with his mother to begin rehearsals and life on the road. Despite the hard work, Stewart's time with The Lion King clearly had a big impact on him. His face lights up when talking about the experience. _ "You really become a big family," she said. "Eve-- ryone becomes so close. It was so hard to leave, althou%ll'l we still have great friendships." B For the next eight months The Lion King took the 11--year--old across North America through Portland, Vancouver, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Nor-- folk, Virginia and Durham, North Carolina. The gruelling schedule had the young actor pla{- ing eight shows per week, alternatingbwith another young Simba, and trying to keep up with school by working with a tutor. The Kincardine News MB Tuesday, September 4, 2012 The Canadian independ-- ent production is an action movie in which a group of children take a game of war to a dangerous new level. The film is scheduled to be released sometime in 2013. When his run with The Lion King ended Stew-- art returned to his home in Delhi, Ontario, to his regular school and a nor-- mal routine. Normal for him that is. While he went back to playing sports with his friends, Stewart also headed back to dance class and continued to audition for new roles. In April of 2011 Stew-- art landed a small part in the upcoming movie Cobu 3D, starring Derek Hough of Dancing With The Stars fame. Stewart worked as an extra on the production apgearing as a "tapper" and a dancer. Upon wrapping Cobu 3D Stewart began working on a second motion picture, I Declare War, in the role of Caleb, one of the main characters. quickly outgrew the role. Continued on Page 13 Former Kincardine resident 13--year-- old Kolton Stewart poses with his mother Lori on a recent visit home. Stewart _ began his entertainment career drumming withtheKincardine Scottish and Penetangore Pipe Bands and has now -- established himself as an up and coming actor performing _ both on _ stage and in _ film. _ (TRACEY HINCHBERGER/ KINCARDINE _ NEWS FREELANCE) 13