‘A real pro:’ Downers Grove youngster makes Lyric Opera debut in ‘Champion’
For her budding theater career, Naya Rosalie James has older sister Vivian to thank.
Watching her sibling perform inspired the Downers Grove 11-year-old to pursue acting.
“I thought she was so cool,” said James. “I would always watch her in shows. That’s why I started doing theater.”
Following in her sister’s footsteps, the Highland Elementary School student performed in high school and community theater productions of “The Music Man” and played the titular role in “Matilda: The Musical” with Naperville Park District’s Magical Starlight Theatre before making her professional debut last year in Paramount Theatre’s “School of Rock.”
Later this month, James makes her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut in “Champion,” composer/conductor Terence Blanchard’s “opera in jazz” about 1960s African-American boxer Emile Griffith. The story centers on Griffith’s struggle to keep his sexuality a secret and to cope with his guilt after knocking out an opponent who died following the bout.
“I don’t know how I got from doing ‘School of Rock’ to doing something at the Lyric Opera,” said James, who plays the boxer as a child.
“It’s a way to challenge myself as an actor,” she said of the “trouser role,” in which a young male character is sung by a female. “It’s going to be an amazing experience to be playing a boy. I’m really excited about it.
“Mentally, it’s a really difficult role to play,” said James.
Director James Robinson praised the young singer for her “extraordinary natural instincts.”
“I’m surprised this is only her second show, because she demonstrates such incredible professionalism,” said Robinson, who directed the 2013 world premiere of “Champion,” the 2023 revival at the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric production.
He describes the opera as a compelling story of self-acceptance and forgiveness.
“It’s a fascinating human journey,” Robinson said. “It’s a story that resonates because it’s something we all deal with in our lives: the idea of forgiving people and being forgiven for our shortcomings in our own lives.”
Robinson, who described James as well-prepared and a joy to work with, treats young actors no different from their adult counterparts.
“I make them feel they’re every bit as vital and important as the adults in the room,” he said.
The first day he and James met, he directed a scene between her and Krysty Swann, who plays Cousin Blanche, that involved Swann yelling at James for several minutes.
“She was a real pro,” said Robinson, who afterward apologized to James for running the scene with a room full of people watching. "I had to commend her for that.”
James is enjoying her Lyric experience. She says she’s learned “a few cool things” about vocal technique and enunciation. And she said her “Champion” castmates, the artistic team and Lyric personnel made her feel welcome.
“It’s going to be an incredible production. The sets and costumes are incredible,” she said. “The entire show is going to be amazing.”
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“Champion”
When: Jan. 27 through Feb. 11
Where: Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, lyricopera.org/champion
Tickets: Start at $49